China seizes US naval underwater probe in South China Sea

The drone was deployed by an American oceanographic vessel in international waters in the South China Sea

China has seized an unmanned US naval underwater testing vehicle in the South China Sea, a US defense official said today.

"It was taken" by China, the official said, adding the craft was seized in international waters about 50 miles off Subic Bay.

The "naval glider" was used to test water salinity and temperatures to help in the mapping of underwater channels, the official said.

While the probe was a US Navy vessel, it was operated by civilians, the official said.

The vessel's seizure comes amid continued tensions in the South China Sea.