55 Chinese sailors feared dead in nuclear submarine accident in Yellow Sea

At least 55 Chinese sailors were killed in an accident in August in the Yellow Sea, according to a report by the UK-based newspaper, Daily Mail Online.

The Daily Mail has cited a top-secret UK report. The report claims the crew members were poisoned by the oxygen system's catastrophic failure, which claimed sailors' lives.

The UK report, which is based on military intelligence, has a high level of secrecy.

The Daily Mail Online further cited the top UK report, which read: 'Intelligence reports that on August 21st there was an onboard accident whilst carrying out a mission in the Yellow Sea.'

Credit: Chinese Navy's nuclear-powered submarine(Reuters)

The incident happened at 08.12 local time, resulting in the deaths of 55 crew members: 22 officers, 7 officer cadets, 9 petty officers, and 17 sailors.

The dead include the captain, Colonel Xue Yong-Peng. Our understanding is that death is caused by hypoxia due to a system fault on the submarine.

The submarine hit a chain and anchor obstacle used by the Chinese Navy to trap US and allied submarines,' the report read.