At least five Indian Navy personnel have been injured in an accident on board a Sindhughosh class diesel-electric submarine, when it encountered problems off the coast of Mumbai.
Press Trust of India cited Navy sources as saying that a leakage had occurred in the battery compartment of the INS Sindhuratna (S59) during an exercise, suffocating five naval personnel.
The sailors who fell unconscious were transferred to a Navy hospital in Mumbai.
The incident is the tenth involving an Indian Navy warship and the third involving a submarine in the last seven months, and has also led to two onboard Naval officers being reported as missing.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataHindustan Times quoted a source as saying that the deputy electrical officer (lieutenant commander) and the watch keeping officer (lieutenant) are missing.
See Also:
"Compartments get sealed automatically when the fire-fighting system kicks in," the source said.
Meanwhile, a board of inquiry under a senior officer has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.
The type 877EKM submarine is powered by diesel-electric propulsion with two diesel generators and one propulsion motor. The vessel features a MGK-400 sonar, active radar with a target separation system as well as a radar warning receiver and a direction finder.
The Sindughosh class submarine has been designed to support anti-submarine and anti-surface ship warfare missions.
Submarines in the Sindughosh class can carry a crew of up to 52, have a surfaced and submerged displacement capacity of 2,300t and 3,950t respectively, and a range of 6,000 miles.
Last year, the Indian Navy’s Sindhughosh class submarine, INS Sindhurakshak (S63), sank off the Mumbai harbour, killing 18 onboard personnel.
Image: Indian Navy’s Sindhughosh class submarine at sea. Photo: chanakyathegreat.