Search for submarine not suspended, says Argentinean Navy

BUENOS AIRES -- The search for the missing ARA San Juan submarine "has not been suspended," said Argentina's navy spokesperson Enrique Balbi on Saturday.

However, there is "still no evidence" of the submarine's location, the spokesperson said.

"Weather conditions are a little more adverse than yesterday (Friday), with three-meter waves, but the efforts have not been suspended. Seven ships from different nationalities are working... mapping the multidimensional deep," said Balbi.

"The operations are continuing. Tomorrow (Sunday), it will be a bit more complicated, perhaps diminishing the efficiency of the sonar due to the impact of the waves," he added.

Balbi explained that the search area is "hostile" as it is out in the open sea, 430 km from shore, with complex weather making the ships move slowly.

Asked about the likely situation of the submarine, ten days after its disappearance, Balbi said he would not be drawn into "conjecture on the current state of the ship... out of respect for the families."

On Thursday, it was reported that an explosion took place on Nov. 15, the same day as the submarine's disappearance, in the area of its last known position in the South Atlantic.