864-soldier World War II ship that sank is found after 84 years

In the South China Sea, deep-sea survey professionals have discovered a Japanese merchant ship that was lost during World War II and had 864 Australian soldiers on board, according to a story in the Independent.

The SS Montevideo Maru, a clandestine prisoner-of-war transport ship that had been missing since it sank off the Philippine coast in July 1942, was discovered northwest of Luzon island, according to an announcement made on Saturday by Australia's Minister of Defence, Richard Marles, NDTV reported.

The ship was torpedoed by a US submarine while it was sailing from Papua New Guinea to China's Hainan, earning it the moniker "worst maritime disaster" in Australia. However, the presence of prisoners of war on board was unknown.

The wreck was found at a depth of more than 13,123 feet, and the government claims that a marine archaeology not-for-profit and deep-sea survey professionals spearheaded the search for it. The Australian Defence Department also assisted in the search.

The Defence Minister added, "The absence of a location of the Montevideo Maru has represented unfinished business for the families of those who lost their lives until now."

More than 1,000 individuals are alleged to have died as a result of the calamity, including civilians and prisoners of war from other countries.

According to the publication, the long-awaited discovery falls on April 25, which is Anzac Day observance in Australia and New Zealand, a significant day of rememberance for their soldiers lost in all wartime conflicts. "This brings to an end one of the most tragic chapters in Australia's maritime history," Mr Marles said.