8/15/13

In its worst peacetime disaster, Navy loses top submarine with 18 men on board - The Times of India
| Log In | Sign Up |

Indiatimes | The Tim es of India | The Economic Times | More

ADVERTISEMENT

Like

2.8m

Follow

India
Hom e City India World Business Tech Sports Entertainm ent Life & Style Wom en Hotklix Spirituality NRI Real Estate Photos

The Times of India

Advanced Search

Times Now

Videos

LIVE TV

You are here: Home India

In its worst peacetime disaster, Navy loses top submarine with 18 men on board
T NN | A u g 1 5 , 2 0 1 3 , 0 3 .5 4 A M IST

Connect with us

3 BHK Apts in Noida Ext.

Luxurious Apartm ents start @ 4 5 Lac Book the Dream Hom e for Your Fam ily eart hinfra.in/3-BHK-Apart ment s
READ MORE

Chevrolet Sail-U-VA
Chev rolet Independence Day Offer. Sav ings Upto 3 3 ,000, Till 1 5th Aug. Chevrolet .co.in/SAIL_U-VA
A ds by Googl e

Navy Subm arine | INS Sindhurakshak | Mum bai Dockyard | Indian Navy | Fire

MUMBAI: The Indian Navy suffered a major setback as INS Sindhurakshak a kilo-class submarine berthed at the naval dockyard here partially sank on Wednesday after a series of explosions with all the 18 personnel, including three officers, on board feared dead. Laden with warheads, the Russian-made submarine suffered a small explosion early Wednesday, followed by two almost simultaneous blasts, which produced a fire that spread across the 16-year-old vessel. The explosions, suspected to be in the torpedo compartment, hurled a ball of fire, lighting up the sky above the dockyard.

The night sky is lit up as I NS Sindhurakshak catches fire. (AP photo)

RELATED
Refit expenses of submarine exceeded original cost In pics: Facts about INS Sindhurakshak

INS Sindhurakshak had returned to the country in April this year from Russia after undergoing an overhaul and refit that was ordered after a blast aboard it killed a sailor while its batteries were being charged in 2010.

This is the worst peacetime disaster in the history of Indian Navy. The blow comes close on the heels of the navy grabbing global attention for its growing capabilities and ambitions. In the last few days, its indigenous nuclear submarine's reactor went critical on board INS Arihant and its first indigenously-built aircraft carrier -INS Vikrant- was launched. India Defence minister A K Antony, who rushed to the Mumbai, described the accident as the "greatest Navy submarine INS tragedy in recent times". Chief of naval staff Admiral D K Joshi conceded "a dent" had been left in dockyard in Mumbai "Indian Navy's submarine capabilities for the time being".

Sindhurakshak catches fire at naval

Read more
Admiral Joshi said only the submarine's duty watch, comprising three officers and 15 sailors, were on board at the time of the disaster. The sub took in water from the torpedo compartment, where the ordnance exploded, as the firefighting operations last more than two hours. It initially tilted forward and then came to rest in three metres of water. Just its conning tower and a part of the hull are visible now. Navy divers entered the stricken vessel through the main hatch but detected no signs of life on board. The divers will be pumping out the water to bring the submarine to the surface. "Chances of survivors seem unlikely as the submarine has been submerged for 12 hours. We fear the worst, but hope for the best," said Admiral Joshi. Antony added: "I am saddened at the loss of life of naval personnel in the service of the country." Fearing the worst, naval authorities have
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/In-its-worst-peacetime-disaster-Navy-loses-top-submarine-with-18-men-on-board/articleshow/21836818.cms 1/4

8/15/13

In its worst peacetime disaster, Navy loses top submarine with 18 men on board - The Times of India

called the family members of the personnel to Mumbai. While the navy refused to reveal the names of those on board, Admiral Joshi said two of the officers and six of the sailors were married. According to navy sources, three personnel, who were not inside at the time of the tragedy, jumped to safety and were treated for minor injuries before being discharged. The sources added that another submarine, INS Sindhughosh, was docked close to INS Sindhurakshak and suffered minor damage from the explosions. 1 Cr Cover @ Rs.16*/day Antony ruled out sabotage and said a Board of Inquiry will give its findings on the cause of the explosion in four weeks. Defence sources said the submarine was expected to leave for a routine patrol on Wednesday and so had been loading armaments as per procedure. "It is possible that the crew manning the crane loading the missiles into the submarine accidentally dropped one; this hit another missile, thereby triggering the explosions," said one source. The submarine had suffered two explosions in 2010 in which one sailor was killed two others injured. The 2010 accident was caused by rising hydrogen levels while its batteries were being recharged. The navy chief said on Wednesday that the sub's batteries were charged three days ago. During the 1971 war, INS Khukri was sunk by the Pakistan navy, killing 194 Indian navy personnel, including Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla.
Share your views
Hi there, Login w ith your Facebook ID to see w hat your friends are reading on Times of India.

Aviva i-Life: Online Term Plan with Really Quick,Easy & Affordable.Buy! : www.avivaindia.com/Aviva-iLife-Plan

More from The Times of India

'Naked marriage' gaining acceptance in China: Survey 13 Aug 2013 Sex racket busted in Faridabad 10 Aug
2013

From Around the Web

Modern slavery generates profit of over $32 billion WALK FREE The Scary Science of What Having Older Parents Does to Babies The New Republic How a Calendar and an Email Can Save Y ou Thousands of Dollars TechInsurance Everyone Knows Y our Name, but Wont Tell The New York Times
Recommended by

Explosion, fire on Navy submarine INS Sindhurakshak in Mumbai; 18 14 Aug

2013

FEATURED TODAY IN INDIA

Narendra Modi nets film stars as BJP candidates in Seemandhra 14 Aug 2013

Agusta, Adarsh investigators get police medals

Uma Bharti shadow on Shivraj Singh Chouhan's cabinet expansion Raghavji released on bail, vows to fight expulsion from BJP BJP leader Dilip Singh Judeo dead Rupee free fall: RBI limits overseas investments by Indians, bans gold coin import At $156m, refit expenses on INS Sindhurakshak exceeded original cost Ban beach sand mining in Kerala, TN: Green Tribunal NCP wary of pro-Maratha reservation tag on party

HDFC Life Term Plan

1 Cr. Life Cov er@just 2 4 /day . 2 5 Yrs Cov er, Tax Benefit*. Buy Now

: www.hdfclife.com/Term-Insurance
A ds by Googl e

ALSO ON TOI

Onion price soars: BJP holds p...

Gunm an, hostage killed in Loui...

UPS cargo jet crashes in Alaba...

I-Day speech: Elect a stable g...

Asaram son's chopper crashlan...

Militants trigger two blasts in Assam No mining permit in Noida, UP govt says more

Follow the Times of India - India section

Like 60k

Search for News

Search

SHARE YOUR VIEWS - POST YOUR COMMENT BELOW

We encourage you to log in and comment. Non-logged-in comments will go through a verification process for security reasons.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/In-its-worst-peacetime-disaster-Navy-loses-top-submarine-with-18-men-on-board/articleshow/21836818.cms

2/4

8/15/13
Log in to post this comment

In its worst peacetime disaster, Navy loses top submarine with 18 men on board - The Times of India

Your comment

TOP STORIES
Egypt unrest: Death toll mounts to 278, over 2000 injured RBI puts curbs on overseas investments to protect rupee Big blow to Navy as submarine explodes with 18 men Foreign secretary to lead strategic talks with China Israelis, Palestinians kick off peace talks more

Characters Remaining: 3000 Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, libellous, slanderous or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete com m ents that do not follow these guidelines by m arking them offensive . Let's w ork together to keep the conversation civil.

POST COMMENT

MOST POPULAR
Read | Com m ented | Shared

From India Fire-ravaged Indian Navy submarine sinks, Antony confirms deaths Pakistan violates ceasefire again; armed forces free to respond to situation on LoC, Antony says Aircraft carrier 'INS Vikrant' raises hackles in China Explosion, fire on Navy submarine INS Sindhurakshak in Mumbai; 18 personnel missing more Across Tim es of India Sridevi's family vacation ends on a sorry note Chennai Express - fastest 100 crore film! Human torch baby tests normal, doctors stumped 'Chennai Express' gives Ekta Kapoor sleepless nights more

All
Today Last 7 Days

TOI
Last 30 Days

My Profile
All Tim e

Americano
Points: 134

1 2 3 4
3/4

Indian
Points: 115

Vinay
Points: 101

Agnel Pereira

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/In-its-worst-peacetime-disaster-Navy-loses-top-submarine-with-18-men-on-board/articleshow/21836818.cms

8/15/13

In its worst peacetime disaster, Navy loses top submarine with 18 men on board - The Times of India
Points: 74

4 5

Nirins4u
Points: 73

Know m ore about Tim es Points

More inside The Times of India

CITY 2 0 kids fall ill after eating chocolates 3 000 newborns in Mum bai die before their 1 st birthday Disabled girl raped by neighbour in Delhi Priest refutes rape accuseds alibi of ev ent on Dec 1 6
MORE FROM CITY

WORLD Koreas agree on reopening Kaesong Ex-US lawm aker Jesse Jackson Jr jailed for fraud Japan politicians expected at controv ersial war shrine Iran 'hostile' to IsraeliPalestinian talks
MORE FROM WORLD

BUSINESS Gov t im poses $6 50/tonne MEP on onion Wall Street down on Fed uncertainty LICHFL net soars 3 6 % to Rs 3 1 0.5cr Gold ends flat, silv er eases in listless trade
MORE FROM BUSINESS

TECH Pics: Sam sungs dual screen flip phone Microsoft launches split key board at $1 3 0 Placem ents: IT product cos head to cam pus Chinese browser is top sm artphone app in India
MORE FROM TECH

SPORTS India A beat Australia A to win tri-series Drav id set to lead Roy als in CLT2 0 Pune Pistons edge out Delhi Sm ashers Djokov ic adv ances at Cincinnati tennis
MORE FROM SPORTS

THE TIMES OF INDIA

Pow ered by INDIATIMES

About us Privacy policy New sletter Sitemap

Advertise w ith us Feedback TOI Mobile Archives

Terms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy RSS ePaper

Other Times Group news sites Times Crest | The Economic Times | Pune Mirror | Bangalore Mirror Ahmedabad Mirror | ItsMyAscent Education Times | Brand Capital Mumbai Mirror | Times Now Indiatimes | |
Go Green

Living and entertainment Timescity | iDiva | Bollyw ood | Zoom Healthmeup | Luxpresso | Technoholik Guylife | Online Songs Interest Network itimes | Email

Hot on the Web Hotklix | World | Politics Business | Sports

Entertainment Science & Tech New Cars

Services
Book print ads | Online shopping | Free SMS | Website design | CRM | Tenders Matrimonial | Ringtones | Astrology | Jobs | Tech Community | Property | Buy car Bikes in India | Deals | Free Classifieds | Send money to India | Used Cars Restaurants in Delhi | Movie Show Timings in Mumbai | Remit to India | Buy Mobiles Listen Songs | New s

Trending Topics Yahoo | Gmail | You Tube | Gold Price | Tw itter | Irctc | Apple iphone 5 | Watch Movies | Aadhar Card | Facebook | UID Card

Copyright 2013 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/In-its-worst-peacetime-disaster-Navy-loses-top-submarine-with-18-men-on-board/articleshow/21836818.cms

4/4