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Escape from our "metal coffin" on the ocean floor

When the Peruvian submarine Pacocha crashed and plunged 42 metres down to the seabed with 22 sailors inside, it was First Lieutenant Roger Cotrina Alvarado's job to save his crew.

In 1988, after colliding with a fishing trawler at the surface, the Peruvian submarine Pacocha sank to the bottom of the Pacific ocean. With 22 men trapped inside, with no water, a fire on board and depleting oxygen, First Lieutenant Roger Cotrina Alvarado was determined to save his crew. An escape plan was hatched, but getting out of the submarine was only the first step - they still had to find a way to make the 42-metre ascent to the surface. Would they make it out alive? Part 2 of 2.

Part 1 is available here: /programmes/w3ct1kx3

Presented by Clayton Conn
Produced by Clayton Conn and Mariana Des Forges
Interpreter: Martin Esposito

Picture: Collage of photographs of the Pacocha, crew, the submarine and Roger Cotrina Alvarado receiving a medal
Credit: all photos courtesy of Roger Cotrina Alvarado

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

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27 minutes

Last on

Sun 18 Jul 2021 22:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 17 Jul 2021 08:32GMT
  • Sat 17 Jul 2021 17:32GMT
  • Sun 18 Jul 2021 08:32GMT
  • Sun 18 Jul 2021 22:32GMT

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