Submarine collides with tanker

The submarine is having the damage assessed

A Norwegian submarine on a UK-organised military exercise has collided with a tanker in the Minch.

The submarine KN Utstein hit the tanker Kilstraum, which is also Norwegian, 18 miles off the island of Lewis at about 0350 BST on Thursday morning.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the submarine, which was submerged at the time, sustained rudder damage and was in Stornoway undergoing inspection.

The tanker was unscathed by the collision and continued on its journey.

The Kilstraum, owned by the shipping company Utkilen, had been on a run to Liverpool and was returning home to Norway.

No injuries

A spokesman for Utkilen said: "The submarine was in periscopic position - only the periscope was above sea level.

The tanker struck the submarines rudder section

"There has been radio contact between the submarine and the captain onboard MT Kilstraum.

"The captain onboard MT Kilstraum reports no personal injuries. No leakages have been observed."

The MoD said it expected a board of inquiry would be held by the Norwegian defence ministry.

Campaigners have previously called for a ban on major traffic through the Minch over fears of a collision causing pollution from dangerous cargoes.