Nuclear submarine runs aground
13.12PM GMT, 7 Nov 2002

The nuclear submarine HMS Trafalgar has run aground off the coast of Scotland while taking part in a military exercise, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.

One crewmen suffered a broken nose and another a strained back in the incident on the north west coast of the Isle of Skye.

But the MoD said the submarine's nuclear reactor was not damaged.

A spokeswoman said: "There is no damage to the pressure hull and a core integrity assessment of the nuclear reactor has been conducted. There is no risk to the public or crew.

"An investigation into this incident is under way.

"Until the findings of that investigation are known it is unhelpful to speculate on the circumstances surrounding this incident."

The submarine was taking part in a joint maritime training exercise and surfaced immediately after the incident.

The submarine, which was commissioned in 1983, will return to the Faslane naval base on the Clyde, where the damage will be assessed.

Local MP and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said: "The first reaction to this news must be one of relief that no hull breach or damage to the nuclear reactor has occurred, and no lives have been lost.

"But when a nuclear submarine is involved in an incident of this nature, with the potential for disastrous consequences, it is essential that a full investigation is undertaken, the conclusions of which must be made public."

The Royal Navy has 16 submarines in its fleet, 12 of which - HMS Trafalgar included - are nuclear-powered attack subs.

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