A bouquet of flowers is seen placed next to banners in support of the 44 crew members of the missing at sea ARA San Juan submarine, on a fence outside an Argentine naval base in Mar del Plata, Argentina November 24, 2017. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina has given up on rescuing 44 crew members on a submarine that disappeared 15 days ago, though it will continue the search for the vessel with international assistance, a navy spokesman said on Thursday.
The ARA San Juan had a seven-day supply of air when it reported its last position on Nov. 15. The crew had been ordered to return to a naval base in Mar del Plata after reporting water had entered the vessel through its snorkel.
