Sweden submarine search called off

The Swedish military has called off its week-long search for a suspected submarine in the sea south of Stockholm, the BBC reported, citing officials.

Naval vessels and planes have been searching the Stockholm archipelago for the last week, amid suspicions a Russian submarine was in trouble there.

Russia's defence ministry denied any of its ships were involved.

It was reported to be Sweden's biggest military mobilisation since the Cold War.

In a statement, the military said (in Swedish): "This means the bulk of ships and amphibious forces have returned to port." It added that some smaller units would remain in the area.

According to local media, Rear Admiral Anders Grenstad told reporters that the vessel was now believed to have left Swedish waters.

The military said it had been investigating possible "foreign underwater activities" based on what it called "several credible operations."

Hundreds of people were involved in the search, it added.

Swedish officials had not said which country they thought was behind the "underwater activities", but there were widespread suspicions that the Russian navy was involved.