MUMBAI: Two naval officers were found dead yesterday after they went missing in a submarine fire off Mumbai’s coast, the latest in a string of accidents that have forced the navy’s chief to quit.
Seven other crew members were airlifted to hospital with breathing problems after smoke began to fill the vessel’s living quarters on Wednesday, an accident that comes only six months after another deadly submarine disaster in Mumbai.
“The two officers who were earlier declared missing have been located in the (submarine) compartment and after examination by Medical Officers both the officers were declared dead,” said an emailed statement from the defence ministry.
Admiral DK Joshi, the chief of naval staff, announced on Wednesday night he was standing down to take “moral responsibility” for the accident on board the Russian-built INS Sindhuratna during exercises.
The navy said the accident appeared to have been caused by sparks in a sleeping cabin.
According to the Press Trust of India news agency, smoke filled a compartment and triggered emergency measures, such as the closure of hatches which isolate sections of the submarine.
The submarine had only been handed back to the navy in December after undergoing a major refit.
AFP
