Indian Navy submarine gutted after explosion in Mumbai

Explosion resulted in a major fire on board INS Sindhurakshak; 18 sailors feared trapped at the submarine

A day before independence day, an explosion resulting in a major fire took place on board INS Sindhurakshak, a Kilo class submarine of the Indian Navy, shortly after midnight on Tuesday.

“Fire tenders from the Naval Dockyard as well as the Mumbai Fire Brigade were immediately pressed into action. However, due to as-yet-unknown damage suffered as a result of the explosion, the submarine has submerged at her berth, with only a portion visible above the surface,” Indian Navy said in a media statement.
About 18 persons were on board the submarine at the time of the accident and efforts are on to ascertain the safety of the personnel and salvage possibilities of the submarine, it said.
A board of inquiry is being instituted to investigate into the causes of the accident, the statement added.
The submarine has a maximum diving depth of 300 meter, top speed of 18 knots, and is able to operate solo for 45 days with a crew of 53.
INS Sindhurakshak was commissioned on 24 December 1997, according to the Indian Navy website.
source : livemint

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