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Number of injured onboard nuclear submarine now 23

Friends and relatives are mourning the death of a Navy sailor aboard the U.S.S. San Francisco, after the nuclear submarine ran aground during a submerged operation. The sailor, whose name is being withheld pending a mandatory 24-hour period, died from critical injuries he sustained when the submarine ran aground 350 miles south of Guam Saturday afternoon.

"Our sincerest condolences and prayers go out to the family and friends of the sailor," stated in a media release from the commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Marianas.

The number of injuries from the incident has gone up from 20 on Saturday to 23 on Sunday. Injuries range from broken bones, laceration bruises, and a back injury. Currently medical personnel, including a doctor, remain on board and are treating the injured crew.

The submarine is continuing its way toward Guam. It is being escorted by the Coast Guard cutter Galveston Island and U.S.N.S. GySgt. Fred W. Stockham. It is expected to return to its homeport on Guam Monday afternoon (Guam time). The U.S.N.S. Kiska and military aircraft are also continuing to provide assistance as required.

The U.S.S. San Francisco was homeported in Guam 23 months ago. It is staffed by a crew of 137 sailors. The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine is one of the three currently homeported on Guam as part of the U.S. Naval Forces Marianas Submarine Squadron 15. The U.S.S. Corpus Christi was homeported on Guam in October of 2002, while the U.S.S. Houston arrived in Guam in December of last year.

The U.S.S. San Francisco is designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships. Its other missions range from intelligence collection and Special Forces delivery, and to strike warfare using Tomahawk cruise missiles. According to the Navy there were no reports of damage to the reactor plant, which is operating normally."

According to COMNAVMAR Public Affairs Lt. Arwen Consual, an investigation is underway at this time. "The U.S. Navy's main concern is for the injured and that the submarine makes its way back to Guam as safely as possible," she added.

The last major incident regarding a U.S. Navy submarine was in 2001, when the U.S.S. Greenville crashed into a Japanese fishing vessel off the state of Hawaii. Nine people - Japanese men and boys - were killed. The commander was later reprimanded and was forced to retire.