An intact U-boat, most likely with the crew still inside, has been found on the floor of the North Sea off the coast of Ostend

Divers working off the coast of Ostend have discovered the wreckage of a German U-boat from the First World War, West Flanders governor Carl De Caluwé has announced. The wreck appears to have the remains of its crew still on board.

The vessel is 27 metres long, six metres wide and The submarine lies at a depth of 30m. It is according to marine archaeologist Tomas Termote, the 11th such vessel found in Flemish waters since the war but the best-preserved.

“Normally such a submarine had a crew of 22 men and one commander,” De Caluwé said. “All of the portholes are still closed, which suggests that the wreck has not previously been discovered, and that the 23 crew members remain inside.”

The vessel is thought to be one of a 19-strong fleet of German U-boats known as the Flemish Flotilla. It was their job to patrol the North Sea and enforce a blockade of British supplies to occupied Belgium. In the end, 15 were sunk by the Royal Navy.

What caused this particular U-boat to sink will be determined, though early evidence suggests that it came in contact with a mine. Once the vessel is identified, officials will also be able to identify the crew members.

Photo: A German submarine washed up onshore at Hastings on the southeast coast of England in 1919

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