23 Oct 2010

Sub towed free after running aground

10:41 am on 23 October 2010

A British nuclear-powered submarine that ran aground off the coast of Scotland, has now been towed free.

The Ministry of Defence says HMS Astute was not carrying nuclear weapons.

It ran aground on Friday close to a bridge linking the Isle of Skye with the mainland. A tug was sent to assist.

The submarine will return to its Faslane base in western Scotland.

The MoD says the grounding was not a nuclear incident.

HMS Astute is the Royal Navy's newest and largest attack submarine. It was having sea trials and is not armed.