Locals describe hearing a sound “like a jet engine” when the blasts happened, as Yogita Limaye reports
Indian divers and rescue workers are battling to refloat a submarine in a Mumbai dockyard, after two explosions led to a fire early on Wednesday.
About 18 sailors were board but there has been no contact with possible survivors and India’s navy chief warned the country to “prepare for the worst”.
Divers have so far opened one hatch of the partially-submerged vessel.
An inquiry into the incident is under way as efforts continue to pump out water to bring the boat to the surface.
It is not clear what caused the blasts on the diesel and electricity-powered INS Sindhurakshak. Sabotage has not been ruled out, although officials say that looks unlikely at this stage.
As India marks Independence Day, officials were not optimistic about the crew’s chances of survival.
Naval chief DK Joshi said it was possible those on board may have found air pockets but “the indicators are negative”.
“While we hope for the best, we have to prepare for the worst,” he told reporters.
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On Monday navy divers managed to open the first hatch of the damaged submarine but there has yet to be contact with any of the crew on board
The incident took place after midnight at the busy naval dockyard
As the emergency services rushed to the scene, it emerged that the explosion and fire had trapped a number of crew members, who are feared dead
Navy divers and fire-fighters remained at the scene, which was visited by India’s Defence Minister later in the day.
An inquiry has been ordered into the causes of the incident
‘Shocking tragedy’
Two huge explosions took place on board the INS Sindhurakshak after midnight on Tuesday. Firefighters spent four hours putting out the ensuing blaze.
The force of the explosions badly damaged the vessel, which sank, and it remains partially submerged at its berth.
Amateur video shown on Indian television showed a large fireball illuminating the sky
Dramatic images on Indian television showed a large fireball illuminating the sky. Smoke from the blaze could be seen in many parts of the city. Many sailors managed to jump to safety after the blast and some were taken to hospital.
The Russian-built vessel had recently been upgraded at a cost of $ 80m (£52m) and it may have been armed with missiles and torpedoes.
Russian firm Zvyozdochka, which refitted the submarine, said the vessel had been fully operational when it was returned to India in January.
On Wednesday Indian Defence Minister AK Antony visited the site. Describing the events as a “shocking tragedy”, he offered his condolences to relatives of those who may have perished.
The INS Sindhurakshak is one of the 10 Kilo-class submarines bought from Russia between 1986 and 2000. It is equipped with Russian Club-S cruise missile systems.
INS Sindhurakshak timeline
- 1997: INS Sindhurakshak procured by Indian navy, one of the 10 vessels in the Kilo-class submarines bought from Russia between 1986-2000
- February 2010: A fire that broke out in its battery compartment kills one sailor
- August 2010: Submarine sent for re-fit to equip it with cruise missile systems
- June 2012: Refit completed with refurbished hull and 10 years added to its 25-year service life
- October 20102: Sea trials begin for submarine
- 14 August 2013: Submarine hit by explosion and fire with sailors trapped inside
The submarine was sent to Russia for the refit in 2010 after a sailor on board was killed by a fire that broke out in the battery compartment while the submarine was docked at the Vishakhapatnam naval base in February that year.
Correspondents say that India has steadily developed its naval capabilities in recent years, motivated by its rivalry with neighbouring China. But the country’s military has encountered numerous scandals and difficulties as it has done so.
Wednesday’s explosions came two days after India’s navy launched its first home-built aircraft carrier, hailed by defence officials as a “crowning glory”.
And on Tuesday India’s federal auditor suggested that the government might have paid too much for 12 helicopters from Anglo-Italian company Agusta Westland, saying procurement procedures designed to ensure value for money were not properly followed.
Last year, India bought a Russian Nerpa nuclear submarine for its navy on a 10-year lease from Russia at the cost of nearly $ 1bn, making it part of a small group of nations to operate nuclear-powered submarines.
India and Russia are long-time allies and Russia supplies about 70% of India’s military hardware.
Divers struggle to search submarine
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