SINGAPORE, Aug 25: A US nuclear-powered submarine could have leaked radioactive water during a Singapore stop in September 2006, Singapore’s Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean said on Monday.

Speaking in parliament, Teo said the US informed Singapore this month that the USS Houston had been leaking trace amounts of radioactive water since June 2006.

“This suggested that the USS Houston could have been leaking during her port call at Changi Naval Base in September 2006,” Teo said in response to a parliamentary question.

Singapore had asked the US for information after reports in early August said the USS Houston could have been leaking radioactive water during a port call in Japan in March this year, he said.

US tests showed the amount of radioactivity that could have leaked from the submarine during its Singapore stop was too small.—AFP