Indian Navy sub sinking

[ngatimozart]

An Indian Navy Kilo class diesel has sunk after a powerful internal explosion. The explosion occurred on INS Sindhurakshak whilst tied up alongside at the Mumbai Naval Base. At the moment it is feared that 18 crew have been killed. All of the missing crew were below decks at the time of the explosion and may have no way of escape. This particular submarine doesn't have escape compartments. It is thought that the cause of this explosion may have been the build up of hydrogen gas within the battery compartment. The vessels batteries were being charged at the time of the explosion. In 2010 this same submarine had an explosion in the battery compartment due to hydrogen gas build, up killing one sailor.

www.smh.com.au/world/indian-submarine-sinks-with-18-trapped-on-board-20130814-2rvsf.html

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=211863565

[ngatimozart]

The media are now reporting that the explosion was in the forward torpedo room. If this is the case then this disaster is reminiscent of the Russian Navy SSBN Typhoon class Kursk sinking when it had an catastrophic explosion in the forward torpedo room. www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/world/9041305/Indian-navy-soldiers-feared-dead-in-submarine