New Delhi: An accidental leakage of toxic gasses on board an Akula-class Russian nuclear submarine, which was to be leased to India, killed 20 persons during sea trails in the Pacific on Saturday.
Even though no Indian lost his life, the accident is a setback for the country's nuclear submarine programme.
"As a result of the malfunction of the fire extinguishing system in the first and the second sections of the submarine, more than 20 people have died,” Russian Navy spokesperson Captain Igor Dygalo said.
An Indian Naval crew was set to leave for Russia to train on the submarine later this week.
Russia has now halted the sea trial of this submarine, codenamed INS Chakra by India, and is addressing international concerns.
The Russians quickly assured that there was no damage to the submarine's nuclear reactor, there was no radiation leak, and that the submarine was still functional.
"The main energy device, I mean the nuclear section works properly. Radiation levels are normal. The submarine is operating on its own. It has been taken back to port by a rescue ship,” Dygalo said.
The accident will further delay timelines for the operationalisation of India's indigenous nuclear submarine, the ATV. The leased Akula is to be a training platform to prepare India to operate the ATV.
First slated to join the Indian fleet in 2007, the induction of the Akula was delayed till July 2009.
Also, the safety record of Russian equipment will continue to haunt India. Saturday's mishap was the third fatal accident involving Russian submarines in the last eight years.
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