WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- A US nuclear submarine ran aground while conducting underwater operations about 560 km (350 miles) south of the island of Guam on Friday, the Navy said Saturday.

    Several people were injured, including one critical injury, in the incident, which occurred at approximately 4 p.m. Friday HawaiiStandard Time (0200 GMT Saturday), the Navy said in a press release.

    The extent of the injuries and damage aboard the Los Angeles-class submarine USS San Francisco was still being assessed, but there were no reports of damage to the reactor plant which was operating normally, the release said.

    The submarine was on the surface and on its way back to their homeport in Guam, and US military and Coast Guard aircraft were enroute to monitor and assist in the situation, according to the release.

    News reports said however that about 20 crew were injured in the accident, which happened when the submarine, with a 137-membercrew, was heading for a port visit in Brisbane, Australia. Enditem