Argentine navy chief sacked over submarine tragedy

The head of the Argentine Navy, Admiral Marcelo Eduardo Hipolito Srur, has been sacked over disappearance of a submarine with 44 crew members aboard last month.

Several media reports stated that Defense Minister Oscar Aguad placed Adm Marcelo Srur in retirement.

Srur was appointed by President Mauricio Macri in January last year.

A replacement for the admiral has not been announced.

Srur is reportedly fifth senior officer to have been relieved of his functions so far over the ARA San Juan's disappearance.

The ARA San Juan submarine issued its last known communication on November 15.

It was sailing from the southernmost port of Ushuaia to the coastal city of Mar del Plata when it went missing.

The vessel's captain reported that water had entered the snorkel and caused one of the submarine's batteries to short circuit, reported the Independent, citing the Argentine navy as saying.

However, on the same day, the captain called back to say the issue had been resolved. The submarine was never heard from again.

The international search operation, of which United States, Russia, Brazil, Chile, Great Britain, Norway, France, Peru and other countries, were a part of, failed to locate the submarine.