Trial for U-Boat Disaster in Argentina with 44 Dead Begins - Argentina puts four naval officers on trial for deadly ARA San Juan submarine disaster
A trial has started in Argentina against four former naval officers linked to the sinking of the ARA San Juan submarine. The vessel disappeared in November 2017 with 44 crew members on board, all of whom died in the tragedy.
The officers now face charges of negligence and dereliction of duty, following years of investigation into the disaster.
The ARA San Juan was travelling from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata when it vanished on 15 November 2017. Before losing contact, the crew reported a short circuit and fire on board. Investigations later confirmed that an implosion, caused by a technical failure, destroyed the submarine at a depth of over 900 metres.
The wreckage was located in 2018, more than a year after the incident. Authorities found that poor maintenance and ignored safety protocols had contributed to the disaster. Prosecutors have accused the four officers of failing to ensure the submarine's operational readiness, leading to the catastrophic outcome.
Each defendant could receive a prison sentence of one to five years if convicted. The trial marks the first legal reckoning for those responsible for the worst peacetime submarine disaster in Argentina's history.
The case centres on whether the officers' actions directly caused the submarine's sinking. If found guilty, they will be held criminally accountable for the deaths of all 44 crew members. The verdict is expected to set a precedent for military accountability in future disasters.
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