Jakarta, Indonesia has launched search efforts for a navy submarine which has gone missing, local officials say.

It was taking part in a training exercise in waters north of the island of Bali but failed to relay results as expected.

The country’s military chief told Reuters news agency that 53 people were on board the KRI Nanggala-402 vessel.

Officials have called on Australia and Singapore to help in the search, according to Reuters.

Local media reports said the submarine was thought to have disappeared in waters about 60 miles (96km) off the coast of Bali early morning today.

Some reports say contact was lost after the submarine had been given clearance to dive into deeper waters, BBC news reported.

Source: Oman News Agency