Collision Sinks Peruvian Sub; 4 Dead, 8 Missing

Divers rescued 18 crewmen on Saturday from a Peruvian submarine that sank after being accidentally rammed by a Japanese fishing boat near the Peruvian coast, but at least three other sailors were believed trapped inside the crippled vessel, the navy said.

A special U.S. Navy team was heading for Lima to help in rescue operations, the U.S. Embassy said.

The 1,870-ton submarine Pacocha, with a crew of 52, sank after being accidentally rammed Friday evening by the 412-ton Japanese fishing ship No. 8 Kyowa Maru, the navy and the Japanese Embassy said. There were no reported injuries among the 21 crew members of the fishing boat.

Navy press spokesman Luis Castro said 22 submarine crewmen were rescued immediately after the accident and that four--the submarine’s commander and three junior officers--were killed.

The navy said two submarine crewmen were still unaccounted for. Earlier, the navy listed four sailors as missing.

Navy officials said that crewmen rescued Saturday reported that about three other sailors were still believed alive aboard the craft, which was in 96 feet of water about three miles off the port of Callao, Peru’s largest port.

Rescuers used a diving bell to bring up the 18 trapped crewmen on Saturday, but officials did not disclose the exact time the rescue took place.

Sources close to the rescue said the trapped men are believed to be in the forward part of the submarine and have sealed the section with hatch doors from the rest of the vessel, which is believed filled with water.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said an air line running to the surface had been attached, giving survivors an unlimited supply of air.

The Peru navy said the submarine was purchased in 1974 from the U.S. government. The vessel, formerly the Atule, was commissioned on June, 21, 1944, according to Jane’s Fighting Ships.

The Japanese boat suffered some cracks on the bow.