India's submarine tragedy leaves navy facing awkward questions
The naval dockyard in Mumbai: INS Sindhurakshak is described by
analysts as India’s most potent submarine. Photograph: Indranil
Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images
- The Guardian, Wednesday 14 August 2013 11.45 EDT
India's navy has suffered its worst accident in more than 40 years when a fire on board a Russian-built submarine triggered two explosions and sent the vessel nosediving into the dockyard at Mumbai. Eighteen sailors on the vessel were missing, feared dead.
The explosions, believed to be caused by onboard weapons detonated by the fire, broke out overnight on Tuesday on the INS Sindhurakshak, described by analysts as India's most potent submarine.
Naval chiefs were facing awkward questions after it emerged that there was an accident on the same vessel three years ago, in which one sailor died.
Three crew members who were on watch on top of the submarine managed to jump off the hull, escaping with minor injuries.
"But they are in total shock, and unable to add very much to what we saw of the explosion on TV," said the Indian navy chief, Admiral DK Joshi. "This is a tragedy, and a dent in our capability for the time being."
The 16-year-old, Kilo class submarine, which had undergone a £50m refit and upgrade in Russia and returned to active duty earlier this year, had docked at Mumbai for supplies and maintenance and was due to leave the next day.
Most of its 58-strong crew, including the commanding officer, were on shore when the submarine exploded.
"It was the Indian navy's best and most potent submarine," said defence expert Mohan Guruswamy, who had visited the INS Sindhurakshak last week. "It was the most modern and versatile submarine in all of Asia."
Read More and Watch Video Here
Related articles
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hello and thank you for visiting my blog. Please share your thoughts and leave a comment :)