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Gas leak caused submarine accident

MOSCOW: Preliminary investigation into the gas poisoning aboard a Russian nuclear submarine that killed 20 people on Saturday confirmed initial reports that the accident was caused by malfunctioning in the fire suppression system.

The Nerpa attack submarine of the Akula-II class is to be leased to India for 10 years next year, but there were no Indian personnel aboard the vessel, which was undergoing sea trials when the accident occurred, said official sources.

“The submarine has a new sophisticated fire extinguishing system that is computer activated automatically and the crew appeared to have no role in setting it off,” said a senior government official on Monday. In still unclear circumstances, toxic Freon gas was automatically pumped into the front section of the submarine, killing 17 shipyard technicians and three sailors, and injuring over 20 personnel. Earlier versions of fire-control systems had to be activated by the crew, said Governor Viktor Ishayev of the Khabarovsk Region, where the shipyard that build the submarine is located. He said changes in the system would have to be made to improve its safety. No other equipment or systems have been damaged in the accident, said officials.

Experts suggested the high number of casualties could be the result of overcrowding aboard the submarine: because of the trials it carried 208 people, including 81 crewmen.

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