British Royal Navy Commemorates The Nanggala-402 Tragedy, Collects IDR 1.02 Billion Donation For Victims' Families

The British Royal Navy Submarine Community commemorates the sinking of the KRI Nanggala 402 submarine (ANTARA/HO)

JAKARTA - The Royal Navy and the British submarine community commemorated the tragedy of the sinking of the KRI Nanggala 402 submarine by laying wreaths and helping the families of the victims.

The British Royal Navy Submarine Community, led by Commodore James Perks CBE, held a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Submarine War Memorial, London on Thursday, October 7.

The commemoration, according to the Indonesian Embassy in London, was attended by the Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, Desra Believe, and the Assistant to the Indonesian Defense Attaché, Major Pas Fajrun Shodiq. The event was also attended by the chairman of the We Remember Submariners foundation, Ian Atkinson. We Remember Submarines is the only foundation in the UK that provides assistance to submarine crews worldwide.

The series of commemorative events began with a ceremony to honor the 53 victims of the sinking of the KRI Nanggala 402 submarine. The ceremony was led by Commodore James Perks and ended with the laying of remembrance poppies.

The event continued with the presentation of a plaque to Ambassador Desra Percaya as a symbol of deep sympathy for the ranks of the British Royal Navy for the tragedy that befell KRI Nanggala 402.

"I really appreciate the Royal Navy and the British submarine community, through the We Remember Submariners foundation, for raising funds for the families of the victims," Ambassador Desra Percaya said.

"The concern, prayers, and solidarity of the Royal Navy and the British submarine community is a testament to the close friendship between our two countries," he said.

Ambassador Desra further hoped that the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the UK would be even stronger in the future.

Funds to be given to the families of the victims of KRI Nanggala 402 have been collected in the amount of 53.000 pounds (approximately IDR 1.02 billion), which was obtained from a joint effort coordinated by the We Remember Submariners foundation.

The funds collected will be distributed to the families of the victims through the British Embassy in Jakarta.