Nuclear submarines collide

Two nuclear subs collide in Atlantic Ocean, but no-one is hurt.

The collision between HMS Vanguard and Le Triomphant is embarrassing to both the British and French navies.

It happened in the Atlantic Ocean on either the 3rd or 4th of February.

Both vessels were carrying nuclear missiles.

They were travelling at low speed while on separate exercises.

A total of 240 sailors were on board.

The British Navy sought to calm fears of a potential nuclear accident.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S FIRST SEA LORD ADMIRAL JONATHAN BAND, HEAD OF THE ROYAL NAVY

"Both submarines remained safe and no injuries occurred. We can confirm that capability remained unaffected and there was no compromise to nuclear safety."

But some experts say the collision could have been catastrophic.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) DR JOHN LARGE, NUCLEAR EXPERT, SAYING:

"You have the propellant risk and also the conventional explosives, but of course around each of the nuclear weapons, and of course these submarines have defensive systems, such as torpedos, swordfish torpedos, the Vanguard, which of course can explode in the collision."

The submarines are equipped with sonar to detect other craft nearby.

Sonar can also shield submarines from detection, leading to speculation that the two craft were invisible to each other.

Anti nuclear campaigners say it's the most serious incident of its kind since The Kursk sank in 2000, killing more than 100 Russian sailors.

Jim Drury, Reuters