This Article is From Aug 14, 2013

Navy submarine INS Sindhurakshak catches fire

Aug 14, 2013 16:42 (IST)
Navy chief DK Joshi on INS Sindhurakshak explosion:
  • Currently the submarine is sitting in 3 metres below water, portion of the hull visible at all times
  • Three officers and 15 sailors were on board at the time of the incident
  • We don't know what caused the fire
  • Whilst fuel, hydrogen ammunition are on board there are safeties built in
  • Fire is not supposed to happen but quite obviously the safety mechanisms have not functioned
  • Our diving teams have been able to open the main hatch
  • They will attempt to create 2 or 3 water tight compartment within the boat
  • After creating water-tight compartments, we will commence the dewatering of the boat
  • Must prepare for the worst since the compartments flooded for more than 12 hours
  • The submarine had done more than 1000 dive hours after it was refurbished
  • The boat had been battery charged, so a chance emission of Hydrogen wouldn't be a concern
  • Some of the ordnance on board seem to have exploded. We don't know which ones yet
  • No connection to the incidents of Feb 2010 as the boat was thoroughly refurbished in Russia
  • Video clips showed the rapid spread of fire and what kind of reaction time they had
  • Regrettably, there has been no communication with those on board
  • The evidence we have at this point doesn't support sabotage, it's an on-board explosion
  • We hope for the best, we are prepared for the worst. There's a possibility of an air pocket
  • Submarine is certainly salvageable but can't say how much time it will take
  • There are no serious injuries to the three people who were outside the submarine
  • The heat caused the hatches to fuse with the hull. We only now managed to open the hatch
  • We will release the names of those who were on board at an appropriate time
  • Submarine accidents have always tended to be catastrophic
  • We expect the board of inquiry to complete its findings in 4 weeks
  • We would take every input that anyone has to offer and take that very seriously
  • The second in command or the XO is amongst the missing
  • The submarine had its full outfit of torpedoes and weapons: Navy Chief
  • The total crew of the submarine is 58
  • Rescue hatches not meant to be used at harbour, only when vessel goes down at high sea
  • There are miracles. All indicators are negative, but we don't want to lose hope



Aug 14, 2013 16:38 (IST)
Naval divers manage to enter submarine, which has been destroyed.
Aug 14, 2013 15:19 (IST)
Defence Minister AK Antony speaks to media after visiting the naval dockyard in Mumbai.

Here is what he said:
  • I express my heartfelt condolences to families of sailor who were inside the submarine
  • We'll give all humanly possible support, assistance and relief to the members of sailor's family



Aug 14, 2013 14:54 (IST)
INS Sindhurakshak: how this loss impacts the Indian Navy
The loss of the INS Sindhurakshak, considered India's most advanced diesel-electric submarine, will hit the Indian Navy hard. It had just spent Rs 480 crore to upgrade the 16-year-old submarine with an improved weapons system and expected the boat to serve another 10 years.
Aug 14, 2013 14:54 (IST)
INS Sindhurakshak: 80 million dollars spent recently on improvements
The INS Sindhurakshak, which is powered by diesel, is 16 years old. It received a mid-life makeover in Russian less than a year ago at a cost of nearly 80 million dollars (480 crore rupees), and is now submerged.
Aug 14, 2013 13:03 (IST)
INS Sindhurakshak fire: no contact made yet with 18 trapped sailors
Nearly 12 hours after the INS Sindhurakshak exploded and sank at the Mumbai dockyard, no contact has been made with 18 sailors who are believed to be trapped inside. Naval divers have not been able to enter the submarine.
Aug 14, 2013 11:59 (IST)
Defence Minister AK Antony says navy personnel have died in submarine explosion, gives no details.

"I feel sad about those navy personnel who have lost their lives in service of the country," he said, but did not say how many people were killed.
Aug 14, 2013 11:45 (IST)
Defence Minsiter AK Antony briefs Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the submarine mishap.
Aug 14, 2013 11:15 (IST)

Sources say INS Sindhurakshak was fully armed when the explosion took place in the weapons' bay.  The fire resulted in  the detonation of torpedos or missiles on board.

Aug 14, 2013 10:17 (IST)
All about INS Sindhurakshak: 10 point cheat-sheet
INS Sindhurakshak, a 16-year-old diesel-electric submarine, was handed over to India in January this year after nearly two years of overhaul and refitting in Russia at the cost of 480 crore rupees. It was expected to serve the navy for at least 10 more years.
Aug 14, 2013 09:41 (IST)
Navy Chief Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi leaves for Mumbai to take stock of the situation.
Aug 14, 2013 08:36 (IST)

Aug 14, 2013 08:34 (IST)

Submarine INS Sindhurakshak submerges at the dock after explosion, salvage operations on: Navy officials

Aug 14, 2013 08:32 (IST)

INS Sindhurakshak gutted after explosion and fire. India had recently spent 80 million dollars on upgrading the submarine in Russia.

Aug 14, 2013 08:24 (IST)
Navy statement on INS Sindhurakshak fire:
 
 An explosion resulting in a major fire took place on board INS Sindhurakshak, a Kilo class submarine of the Indian Navy, shortly after midnight on 14 August 2013.  Fire tenders from the Naval Dockyard as well as the Mumbai Fire Brigade were immediately pressed into action.  However, due to as yet unknown damage suffered as a result of the explosion, the submarine has submerged at her berth with only a portion visible above the surface.  About 18 persons were on board the submarine at the time of the accident and efforts are on to ascertain the safety of the personnel and salvage of the submarine.
 
  A Board of Inquiry is being instituted to investigate into the causes of the accident.

Aug 14, 2013 08:20 (IST)
Indian Navy submarine INS Sindhurakshak catches fire, 18 sailors feared trapped
A huge explosion accompanied by a fire rocked an Indian Navy submarine docked in the high security Naval dockyard early on Wednesday, officials said. Atleast 18 people are feared trapped in the vessel.

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