Argentina 🇦🇷 missing submarine: Navy denies engine fault

The Argentinean navy has insisted a missing submarine was in good condition and had passed system safety checks before setting off on a training mission 10 days ago. 

Some relatives of the 44 missing crew members had suggested the 34-year-old vessel was in a bad state of repair. 

The ARA San Juan last made contact with naval authorities on 15 November. Hopes of finding survivors are fading among relatives fade despite international search efforts.

"We are at a stage of hope and hopelessness at the same time," navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said. "We have to be guided by firm evidence. We are focused on detecting the submarine."

Balbi told a news conference that the submarine had its whole operating system checked two days before setting sail. "The submarine doesn't sail if that's not done. If it set off... it was because it was in condition to do so," he said.

UCJ, UNILORIN.