Falklands warship sinking after mishap
2013-01-22 20:27
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Argentina
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Buenos Aires - A warship used to land the first Argentine
forces in the 1982 Falklands War with Britain was sinking on Tuesday after a
mishap, the navy said.
The "Holy Trinity," a destroyer retired from
active served in 2004, was taking on water outside the Puerto Belgrano naval
base after a 15cm pipe burst, the navy said.
Authorities had planned to turn the ship into a museum.
The vessel is significant historically because it
unloaded a team of divers at Puerto Enriqueta on 1 April 1982, the day before
Argentine troops invaded the British-controlled islands.
The 74-day war cost the lives of 649 Argentine and 255
British troops, and ended in disaster for Argentina when its forces were routed
by a British expeditionary force.
Britain has held the South Atlantic archipelago since
1833 but Buenos Aires claims they are occupied Argentine territory.
In recent months, the sovereignty dispute has again
sparked tension between Buenos Aires and London.
On 10 and 11 March, islanders will vote on whether they
want the retain their status as a British overseas territory.
