21 personnel were killed in 22 Naval warships, submarine accidents in last three years

NEW DELHI: Six officers were among the 21 personnel who were killed in 22 accidents involving naval warships and submarines in the last three years, Lok Sabha was informed today.

"A total of 22 accidents have been reported involving warships and submarines during the last three years and the current year. 21 navy personnel including six officers and 15 sailors lost their lives in three of these accidents," Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said in reply to a written query.

The accidents involving INS Sindhurakshak and INS Sindhuratna account for 20 of these deaths. 18 personnel were killed in Sindhurakshak mishap which sank after an explosion in its torpedo compartment on August 14 last year while two officers had lost their lives in mishaps involving the INS Sindhuratna.

In the last one year itself, the Navy has suffered over 15 accidents and this led to the resignation of former Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi taking the overall responsibility of these mishaps.

Meanwhile, answering another query, Jaitley said the Maharashtra government had sent a proposal to build floating jetties along the Gateway of India in Mumbai but the "Headquarters, Western Naval Command conveyed reservations on the proposal from security angle."