This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/19/government-investigates-fresh-reports-of-looting-of-sunken-navy-ships
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK investigates fresh reports of looting of sunken navy ships | UK investigates fresh reports of looting of sunken navy ships |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| The government is investigating fresh reports that a number of British second world war wrecks in Asia have been plundered by grave robbers. | The government is investigating fresh reports that a number of British second world war wrecks in Asia have been plundered by grave robbers. |
| The defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, said he was “very concerned” to hear allegations that remains of four ships lying off the Malaysian and Indonesian coasts have been looted. | The defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, said he was “very concerned” to hear allegations that remains of four ships lying off the Malaysian and Indonesian coasts have been looted. |
| It comes after six wrecks, including Royal Navy battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, were feared to have been damaged or destroyed by scavengers. | It comes after six wrecks, including Royal Navy battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, were feared to have been damaged or destroyed by scavengers. |
| Altogether the wrecks are thought to be the final resting place for hundreds of Royal Navy sailors and civilians. | Altogether the wrecks are thought to be the final resting place for hundreds of Royal Navy sailors and civilians. |
| British second world war shipwrecks in Java Sea destroyed by illegal scavenging | British second world war shipwrecks in Java Sea destroyed by illegal scavenging |
| Williams said the government “absolutely condemns” the unauthorised disturbance of any wreck containing human remains. | Williams said the government “absolutely condemns” the unauthorised disturbance of any wreck containing human remains. |
| “I am very concerned to hear any allegations of incidents of Royal Navy wrecks being plundered in the Far East,” he said. | “I am very concerned to hear any allegations of incidents of Royal Navy wrecks being plundered in the Far East,” he said. |
| “We will work closely with the Indonesian and Malaysian governments to investigate these claims.” | “We will work closely with the Indonesian and Malaysian governments to investigate these claims.” |
| The Mail on Sunday said wrecks of HMS Tien Kwang, HMS Kuala, HMS Banka and SS Loch Ranza had recently been targeted by thieves for their metal. | The Mail on Sunday said wrecks of HMS Tien Kwang, HMS Kuala, HMS Banka and SS Loch Ranza had recently been targeted by thieves for their metal. |
| HMS Tien Kwang, a submarine chaser, and HMS Kuala, an auxiliary patrol vessel, were carrying hundreds of evacuees when they were attacked by Japanese bombers near the Indonesian Riau Islands in February 1942. | HMS Tien Kwang, a submarine chaser, and HMS Kuala, an auxiliary patrol vessel, were carrying hundreds of evacuees when they were attacked by Japanese bombers near the Indonesian Riau Islands in February 1942. |
| Earlier that month the SS Loch Ranza, a cargo ship, had been set on fire in a Japanese air raid off the Riau Islands and exploded, killing seven men. | Earlier that month the SS Loch Ranza, a cargo ship, had been set on fire in a Japanese air raid off the Riau Islands and exploded, killing seven men. |
| It came after HMS Banka, a minesweeper, sank after hitting a mine off the coast of Malaysia in December 1941, killing its crew of four British officers and 34 Malay sailors. | It came after HMS Banka, a minesweeper, sank after hitting a mine off the coast of Malaysia in December 1941, killing its crew of four British officers and 34 Malay sailors. |
| Looters are said to favour targeting the second world war-era wrecks because of the ship steel’s properties. | Looters are said to favour targeting the second world war-era wrecks because of the ship steel’s properties. |
| In 2014, the ships, the last resting places of more than 830 Royal Navy sailors, were found to have been damaged by scavengers. | In 2014, the ships, the last resting places of more than 830 Royal Navy sailors, were found to have been damaged by scavengers. |
| Second world war | Second world war |
| Military | Military |
| Asia Pacific | Asia Pacific |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |