ID :
29324
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 21:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/29324
The shortlink copeid
20 die, 21 injured in Russian nuclear sub accident
MOSCOW, Nov. 9 Kyodo - At least 20 people were killed and 21 others injured Saturday in an accident
involving a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia's Pacific Fleet with 208
people aboard in the Sea of Japan, according to the Russian Navy and local
media.
There was no radiation leakage and the submarine's body was not damaged in the
accident which occurred at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday during sea trials by the
submarine.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov to
carry out a full investigation into the cause of the accident.
The Russian Navy declined to give details of the accident, while the RIA
Novosti news agency said the sub was the Akula-class Nerpa. The news agency
said the incident occurred as a result of the fire-extinguishing system
accidentally going off during sea trials.
Russia's private television NTV said the accident occurred near the Vladimir
Bay, east of Vladivostok.
There was no fire inside the submarine but a toxic gas to be used for
extinguishing fire were believed to have been released because of the
malfunction of the system.
It is the worst accident for the Russian Navy since the sinking of the Kursk
submarine in August 2000 which killed all 118 people aboard.
The submarine sailed on its own after the accident and arrived at a port in
Russia's Far East at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
The people who are confirmed dead include six military personnel and those who
work for a shipbuilding yard, and the injured people will receive treatment at
hospitals in Vladivostok.
The submarine, which was completed recently, set out on sea trials late last
month. Its construction began in 1991, but it was suspended for some time due
to the Russian military's financial difficulties.
The submarine is expected to join Russia's Pacific Fleet by the end of the year.
In Tokyo, the government asked Russia to disclose information on the incident,
including the location, the cause of the accident and damage, government
sources said. The Japanese request was conveyed to Russia through diplomatic
channels, the sources said.
The Russian side replied there was no radioactive leakage and did not disclose
the details, the sources said, adding Japan will continue to ask Russia to
provide information.
A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said Russia's response is
insufficient because the accident may have occurred near Japanese territorial
waters.
The Japanese Defense Ministry reacted calmly to the accident, suggesting it
occurred far from Japanese territorial waters.
A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force officer said, ''Generally speaking, it's
believed the Russian Navy carries out such sea trials in waters near its
homeland.''
==Kyodo
involving a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia's Pacific Fleet with 208
people aboard in the Sea of Japan, according to the Russian Navy and local
media.
There was no radiation leakage and the submarine's body was not damaged in the
accident which occurred at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday during sea trials by the
submarine.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov to
carry out a full investigation into the cause of the accident.
The Russian Navy declined to give details of the accident, while the RIA
Novosti news agency said the sub was the Akula-class Nerpa. The news agency
said the incident occurred as a result of the fire-extinguishing system
accidentally going off during sea trials.
Russia's private television NTV said the accident occurred near the Vladimir
Bay, east of Vladivostok.
There was no fire inside the submarine but a toxic gas to be used for
extinguishing fire were believed to have been released because of the
malfunction of the system.
It is the worst accident for the Russian Navy since the sinking of the Kursk
submarine in August 2000 which killed all 118 people aboard.
The submarine sailed on its own after the accident and arrived at a port in
Russia's Far East at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
The people who are confirmed dead include six military personnel and those who
work for a shipbuilding yard, and the injured people will receive treatment at
hospitals in Vladivostok.
The submarine, which was completed recently, set out on sea trials late last
month. Its construction began in 1991, but it was suspended for some time due
to the Russian military's financial difficulties.
The submarine is expected to join Russia's Pacific Fleet by the end of the year.
In Tokyo, the government asked Russia to disclose information on the incident,
including the location, the cause of the accident and damage, government
sources said. The Japanese request was conveyed to Russia through diplomatic
channels, the sources said.
The Russian side replied there was no radioactive leakage and did not disclose
the details, the sources said, adding Japan will continue to ask Russia to
provide information.
A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said Russia's response is
insufficient because the accident may have occurred near Japanese territorial
waters.
The Japanese Defense Ministry reacted calmly to the accident, suggesting it
occurred far from Japanese territorial waters.
A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force officer said, ''Generally speaking, it's
believed the Russian Navy carries out such sea trials in waters near its
homeland.''
==Kyodo
