MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Indonesian submarine found at sea bottom cracked in three - all 53 crew dead

President Joko Widodo has sent his condolences to relatives of the 53 crew

The Government of Indonesia has announced the missing KRI Nanggala-402 submarine, which disappeared about 60 miles off the coast of Bali early on Wednesday morning, has been found split in three on the seafloor - none of the 53 crew survived.

“Based on the evidence, it can be stated that the KRI Nanggala has sunk and all of its crew have died,” said military chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, who also explained other parts from the vessel were discovered on Sunday, including an anchor and safety suits worn by crew members.

President Joko Widodo has sent his condolences to relatives of the 53 crew: “All of us Indonesians express our deep sorrow over this tragedy, especially to the families of the submarine crew.”

Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono said: “There were parts of KRI Nanggala 402 - it was broken into three pieces.” Margono also explained that “the KRI Nanggala is divided into three parts, the hull of the ship, the stern of the ship, and the main parts are all separated, with the main part found cracked,” Navy Chief of Staff said.

Signals from 2,600ft underwater were received early Sunday morning and a rescue submarine vehicle supplied by Singapore got visual confirmation.

The KRI Nanggala 402 was performing torpedo training exercises at the moment of its disappearance.

Search teams had found objects Saturday including prayer mat fragments and a bottle of periscope lubricant near the submarine's last known location, leading the navy to believe the vessel had cracked.

See also: Disappearance of Indonesian submarine touches relatives of ARA San Juan victims.