Indian navy divers at the conning tower of the stricken submarine.
Indian navy divers have recovered three severely burned bodies of sailors who had been trapped inside a submarine damaged by twin explosions. A navy spokesman said it was doubtful that any of the other 15 sailors on board survived.
The spokesman, Narendra Vispute, said the condition of the bodies recovered early on Friday morning suggested that all 18 sailors were killed in the explosions in the sub's home port of Mumbai.
"The bodies are severely disfigured and not identifiable due to severe burns," Vispute said, adding that DNA tests would be used to identify the bodies. "However, the navy will continue to search every inch of the submarine until no bodies remain to be found.
The 16-year-old Russian-made, diesel-powered submarine, INS Sindhurakshak, was rocked by two explosions in the torpedo compartment that sent huge fireballs into the air. The vessel was partially submerged at Mumbai's naval dock, with a portion visible above the waterline.
Reaching sailors trapped in the crippled, water-filled vessel was made more difficult because the heat of the blast melted shut some hatch doors. The navy said there has been no contact from any of the sailors – not even a knock on the hull – since the accident occurred.
The same submarine was hit by an explosion in 2010 that killed one sailor and injured two others. The navy said that accident was due to a faulty battery valve that leaked hydrogen, causing an explosion in the battery compartment. There have been no details on what caused this week's blasts.
The sub recently returned from Russia after a two-year refit, overhaul and upgrade and had been certified for use by the Indian navy. The Russian ship repair company Zvyozdochka said the blasts were unrelated to its repair work.
The spokesman, Narendra Vispute, said the condition of the bodies recovered early on Friday morning suggested that all 18 sailors were killed in the explosions in the sub's home port of Mumbai.
"The bodies are severely disfigured and not identifiable due to severe burns," Vispute said, adding that DNA tests would be used to identify the bodies. "However, the navy will continue to search every inch of the submarine until no bodies remain to be found.
The 16-year-old Russian-made, diesel-powered submarine, INS Sindhurakshak, was rocked by two explosions in the torpedo compartment that sent huge fireballs into the air. The vessel was partially submerged at Mumbai's naval dock, with a portion visible above the waterline.
Reaching sailors trapped in the crippled, water-filled vessel was made more difficult because the heat of the blast melted shut some hatch doors. The navy said there has been no contact from any of the sailors – not even a knock on the hull – since the accident occurred.
The same submarine was hit by an explosion in 2010 that killed one sailor and injured two others. The navy said that accident was due to a faulty battery valve that leaked hydrogen, causing an explosion in the battery compartment. There have been no details on what caused this week's blasts.
The sub recently returned from Russia after a two-year refit, overhaul and upgrade and had been certified for use by the Indian navy. The Russian ship repair company Zvyozdochka said the blasts were unrelated to its repair work.
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