The KONGO was, in fact, sinking , and damage control had lost the battle to prolong her life. If any confirmation was needed, it was provided when they heard the Chief DCO had committed suicide in frustration at the failure.
Suicide is one aspect of Japanese culture that is radically different than western culture. Maybe it was so accepted in Japan that it was self-explanatory, and they felt no need to document it. And in the west, it carries such a stigma that it is still avoided as a topic.