At least 20 killed on Russian nuke sub-marine for India

MOSCOW: At least 20 people including four sailors were killed and 21 injured in a gas leak accident on board a brand new nuclear-powered Nerpa submarine to be leased to India during a sea trial in the Pacific Ocean.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a high level probe into the major accident, the worst since the 2000 Kursk mishap.

"The accident took place last night when the automatic fire extinguishing system was activated accidentally filling the two compartments with a highly toxic gas killing those inside," NTV reported quoting Naval spokesman Capt Igor Dygalo.

According to Capt Dygalo there was no radiation leak and the sub, 'K-152 Nerpa,' is returning to the base independently with its reactor working in normal mode.

There were 208 people - 81 of them servicemen - on board the vessel at the time of accident. Among those killed were shipyard workers and naval personnel.

Meanwhile, 21 people, some seriously injured, have been evacuated from the submarine.

The distressed Nerpa submarine, escorted by an anti-submarine ship 'Admiral Tributs' and a rescue vessel 'Sayany', is moving to a temporary base.

Capt Dygalo said the vessel has not been damaged. Further tests to be conducted on it have since been cancelled on the order of the Navy commander-in-chief.

NTV channel reported that the nuclear submarine was to be commissioned later this year and an Indian crew was expected to arrive to take the charge of the vessel.

Christened as INS Chakra the deadly submarine was to be leased to India for ten years.