04 Dec 2017 | 03:33 PM UTC
Argentina: Protests over missing submarine crew
Protest march by family members of missing submarine crew in Mar del Plata on December 3; additional protests likely in coming days
Event
On Sunday, December 3, approximately 300 relatives and friends of missing crew members of an Argentinian submarine held a protest march in Mar del Plata. The protesters demanded greater transparency from the government regarding search and rescue operations for the missing submarine, and that President Maruicio Macri meet with the family members of the missing crew. The march began outside the Naval Base Mar del Plata at 11:30 (local time) and ended at the Cathedral Church of Mar del Plata; the march occurred without incident. Additional protests are likely in coming days, especially if the government ends all ongoing recovery efforts.
Context
The Argentinian navy lost contact with the submarine in the South Atlantic on November 15, sparking a large search operation. Officials believe the submarine may have suffered a mechanical failure, after water entered the vessel and caused a short circuit in one of its main batteries. On Thursday, November 30, military officials declared that the 44 crew members of the submarine will likely not be found alive, changing the goal primary of search operations from rescue to recovery. As of December 4, international search efforts to locate and recover the submarine are ongoing.
Advice
Individuals in Mar de Plata, and Argentina more generally, are advised to avoid all demonstrations as a precaution.
