Indonesia lost contact with the submarine with 53 people on board

The Indonesian Navy announced today that it lost contact with a submarine carrying 53 people after exercises near Bali.

A navy spokesman confirmed that the KRI Nanggala 402 submarine did not re-establish contact with the base after the military exercise.

"It is true that the submarine lost contact early this morning around three o'clock local time," he said.

A search is underway. "We know the area, but it's quite deep," the spokesman added.

Jakarta has asked Singapore and Australia for help, according to officials.

The submarine was carrying 53 crew members and could be at a depth of 700 meters north of the island of Bali.