Akula-class submarine in a snowy harbour
At least 20 people have died in an incident involving the failure of a fire extinguishing system on a Russian nuclear submarine.
Russian Pacific Fleet spokesman Igor Dygalo said both sailors and shipyard workers died in the incident, which occurred during sea trials. He said the submarine itself had not been damaged and there had been no radiation leaks.
The submarine, whose name and class have not been revealed, has been ordered to suspend sea trials and return to port in the far eastern Primorye territory, Capt Dygalo said.
There were 208 people on board at the time, 81 of whom were servicemen.
A shipyard source told the RIA Novosti news agency the vessel was the K-152 Nerpa, an Akula-class submarine, but this cannot be independently confirmed.
RIA said the trials were in the Japanese Sea and that the Nerpa was due to be leased to the Indian navy.
Think inclusion of the word “nuclear” in the headline increased the number of folks reading this article? You betcha.
Even though the nuclear powerplant is located in the aft and the fire was in the bow. That word just scares the shit out of people.
I always felt like I was inside a floating coffin in a submarine. It’s been almost thirty years since the last time and I still recall that feeling.