13/04/2012

Experts Brought In To Identify River Foyle Wreck

Experts are to be called in to help identify a wreck discovered in the River Foyle believed to be a World War II submarine.

Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Alex Attwood has said diving at the discovery site near the Foyle Bridge will be banned until the wreck is positively identified.

It is understood that the wreck is in quite low water and is easily accessible so the Minister wants to ensure that the wreck is not disturbed.

Mr Attwood said: "Given that we don't know how it came to be there, we need to be extra vigilant, given the risk of munitions on board and the risk that this might be a war grave."

Diving, to identify the wreck, is not expected to start for a week or so.

(LB)

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