21 September 2023": News24
Quote:
Navy festival cancelled after submarine tragedy
The Mini Navy Festival, which was scheduled to be held in Cape Town this weekend, has been cancelled.
Tragedy struck on Wednesday when a massive wave knocked mariners off a submarine, leaving three dead and five injured.
On Thursday, Flag Officer Fleet Rear Admiral Musawenkosi Nkomonde confirmed the event had been called off.
"Unfortunately, we had to cancel the festival because of this," he said at a briefing at the Simons Town Naval Base.
News24 previously reported the submarine had been on its way to the V&A Waterfront and was scheduled to be part of the long-weekend event.
The submarine, SAS Manthatisi, was among the craft that would be open to the public during the festivities.
The festival had been scheduled to run from Saturday to Monday.
The original festival took place in Simon's Town, with the last one held in 2017.
The Navy was planning to reintroduce the event to the public.
Nkomonde said all safety measures were in place and the mariners had life jackets.
"Safety is of utmost importance. All the members on board were wearing life jackets," he said.
The crew involved in the exercise will receive counselling.
An inquiry into the incident will commence soon.
"We are still focusing on supporting the victims and those who were injured. This is traumatic," he said.