A Navy submarine tragedy in South Africa has left three people dead and four others injured. The sad incident occurred after high waves washed off the deck of the Navy submarine on Wednesday.
According to reports, the vessel was off the coast close to the South African capital, Cape Town, when the waves swept the seven crew members away.
AFP news reports say at the time of the South African Navy submarine incident, a helicopter was transporting supplies during a refuelling operation.
In a statement issued by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the submariners were actively undergoing a navy exercise when the Navy submarine incident occurred.
The army said, “All seven members were recovered, but sadly there were three fatalities, with one senior officer in critical condition.”
It added that five members involved in the Navy submarine incident were subsequently saved in a rescue operation.
The South African Police has said an inquest has been opened following the naval incident.
The Naval submarine accident is coming following a weekend of rough seas and heightened winds.
The Southern African state on Wednesday issued a warning concerning “damaging waves” in Cape Town.
Last week, at least five patrons at a restaurant in Mariner’s Restaurant in Marina Beach were seriously injured when a massive wave caused damage to several structures along the South African coastline yesterday.
The storm surge and spring high tide also caused severe damage to the Cattle Baron restaurant, leading to its closure by SANParks.
Rescue teams and paramedics from the Kwazulu Private Ambulance Service (KZPA) responded to the Marina Beach incident.