Missing Submarine Running Out of Oxygen, Experts Fear

"We know the area but it's quite deep."

Air Crisis

The Indonesian navy is running out of time to track down a lost submarine with a crew of 53 on board off the north coast of Bali, as Business Insider reports.

The vessel, the KRI Nanggala-402, only has enough oxygen to last the crew on board until Saturday, according to a televised press conference on Thursday.

The navy lost contact with the submarine at around 4:30 am local time on Wednesday after it was involved in a training exercise. Officials have reached out to both Singapore and Australia for help, NBC reports.

"We cannot say for sure if the vessel has sunk, but if it has, the crew may be running out of oxygen," Indonesian defense minister Prabowo Subianto said during today's press conference, as quoted by BI.

Rescue Efforts

Rescue teams made up of six warships, a helicopter, and 400 people are now involved in the rescue efforts, according to the BBC.

Reuters also reported that a helicopter spotted an oil spill near where the submarine started its dive Wednesday morning. According to Navy officials, that could mean either the fuel tank was damaged or the crew is sending a signal.

"We know the area but it's quite deep," first admiral Julius Widjojono told Agence France Presse.

Officials are worried the submarine may have sunk to 600 to 700 meters, as Reuters reported, well beyond the levels of pressure it was designed to sustain.

Time is running out, in other words, but there is still a chance the crew is still alive.

READ MORE: Missing Indonesian submarine has 72 hours of oxygen left, navy says [BBC]

More on the incident: A submarine is missing, with 53 on board