UPDATE April 24, 5:50 AM EDT: Indonesian Navy declares the submarine sunk.
Indonesian officials announced that debris from the missing submarine has been found, dwindling the hopes of rescuing the 53 personnel on board. Items retrieved from the submarine include a bottle of lubricant and a device that protects a torpedo.
Air Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto is quoted saying “The objects found near the last location of the submarine are believed to be parts of the submarine.” And he noted that “These objects would have never got out of the submarine unless there was pressure.”
The military is said to be planning to retrieve the vessel. Collin Koh, a research fellow who specializes in naval affairs and maritime security, told Al Jazeera: “The evacuation they’re talking about, I surmise they’re referring likely to the eventual retrieval of the debris or whatever is left of the submarine that can be salvaged, with the hope of at least retrieving the remains of the crew.”
