Two nuclear-armed submarines from Britain and France collided while on separate patrols in the Atlantic Ocean but there were no injuries or radioactive leaks, Reuters quoted naval officials as saying today. Analysts said a major disaster could have resulted had the underwater collision ruptured the hulls, set off conventional ammunition or started a fire, although the chances of a full nuclear explosion were virtually nil. The nuclear-powered submarines collided earlier this month but there was no damage to the vessels' weapons, said First Sea Lord Admiral Jonathon Band, head of Britain's Royal Navy. British and French officials have so far failed to explain how two sophisticated vessels from allied nations could collide in open water, a highly unusual event that is deeply embarrassing for both navies. "The submarines came into contact at very low speeds, both submarines remain safe and no injuries occurred, " he told a news conference in London. "There was no compromise to nuclear safety." Both submarines were badly damaged and had to return to port, British newspapers reported. Band and the British and French defence ministries would not comment on those reports.
