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Why did about half of Argentina’s war deaths occur in the sinking of the General Belgrano?

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Map showing the Falkland Islands War of 1982, with the left inset displaying southern South America, highlighting Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Argentine air force and naval bases, and the British 200-mile war zone. The main map details West and East Falkland, marking Argentine troop concentrations, areas of conflict, and the path of the British advance toward Stanley, along with key settlements and landing sites. — Falkland Islands War The Falkland Islands War zone (left) and route of British landing forces (right).

The sinking of the General Belgrano resulted in a high number of casualties because the vessel was an obsolete cruiser that was struck by torpedo attacks from a British nuclear-powered submarine on May 2, 1982.1

While Argentina reported a total of approximately 650 lives lost during the Falkland Islands War, the sinking of this single ship accounted for about half of those fatalities. Following this event, the Argentine navy largely withdrew its remaining ships to port for the duration of the conflict.12