Explosion at Mumbai port sinks Indian submarine
A series of explosions aboard a Russian-built Indian naval submarine partially sank the vessel. This is the 2nd explosion on a Russian-made sub in India in 3 years.
A series of explosions aboard a Russian-built Indian naval submarine partially sank the vessel. This is the 2nd explosion on a Russian-made sub in India in 3 years.
Only days after the Indian Navy celebrated one of its proudest achievements, it is now mourning one of its greatest losses.
Last night, an explosion took place aboard an Indian submarine docked at port in Mumbai, killing 18 crew members. The blast occurred shortly after the launch of India鈥檚 first ever domestically-built aircraft carrier, widely hailed as one of the Navy鈥檚 greatest accomplishments. However, the submarine鈥檚 loss has had a sobering effect, drawing attention to the country鈥檚 aging fleet in dire need of modernization.
"It's a great loss to us.... it's the greatest tragedy of recent times," said Defense Minister A.K. Antony, reports the BBC.
Firefighters rushed to the scene of the explosion to put out the fire, which took two hours to extinguish. According to the Associated Press, all 18 sailors trapped aboard the INS Sindhurakshak have been confirmed dead.
The explosion, which occurred early Wednesday morning, took place in the submarine鈥檚 torpedo compartment, reports Reuters.
The INS Sindhurakshak, built by and purchased from Russia in 1997, has had a turbulent history, according to the BBC. In February 2010, a fire broke out on board, killing one crew member. India subsequently sent it to Russia for a refit, which was only completed in June 2012, and which cost $80 million.
Nor is the submarine the Navy鈥檚 only vessel to experience accidents, writes the Hindu. In 2008, another submarine barreled into a merchant vessel during naval exercises. And in 2011, a warship collided with yet another merchant boat, causing a fire to break out.聽
The tragedy aboard the INS Sindhurakshak has damped the convivial mood among India鈥檚 Navy after the launch of its first domestically built aircraft carrier. As 海角大神 reports, the launch of the INS Vikrant was a watershed moment for India, a demonstration of its success and influence both regionally and globally.
But the destruction of INS Sindhurkshak has gravely handicapped the Navy鈥檚 fleet, which is already old and needs to be upgraded to modern standards, according to Reuters. Efforts to refurbish the Indian fleet have been held back by corruption scandals.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, retired Rear Admiral Pradeep Kaushiva explained the impact the submarine explosion has on the Navy: