March 4, 1970 -- French submarine Eurydice explodes

On March 4, 1970 the French military submarine Eurydice exploded, killing all 57 sailors aboard.

On the morning of March 4, the French military lost contact with one of its subs Eurydice. About the same time, while conducting research in calm seas off Cape Camarat in the Mediterranean, 35 miles east of Toulon, a geophysical laboratory picked up the shock waves of an underwater explosion.

The French immediately began an investigation and rescue operation. EUCOM provided search and rescue teams to assist the French military.

After an exhaustive search, they only found an oil slick and a few bits of debris, including a parts tag that bore the name Eurydice.

The cause of the explosion was never officially determined. All 57 crew were lost.

Unofficially the cause appeared to be a faulty snorkel design.

This ship was an enlarged version of the Aréthuse class submarines. Two of these subs in this class, the Euridice 1970 and Minerva 1968 sank due to mechanical accidents.