Nerpa nuke sub crew member charged with involuntary manslaughter

Moscow, Nov 24 (UNI) A serving crew member on board the Nerpa nuclear-powered submarine, has been charged with ''criminally negligent homicide,'' the head of the investigation committee Alexander Bastrykin said today.

Mr Bastrykin said the charge for Dmitry Grobov, the sailor suspected of mishandling a temperature sensor onboard the submarine that caused the accident, carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

He said the investigators are also considering other versions, including a technical malfunction.

The accident occurred on November 8 while the Nerpa was undergoing sea trials in the Sea of Japan. Three sailors and 17 shipyard workers died in the accident.

Last week, an investigation spokesman said Grobov would undergo psychological tests.

UNI XC RJ VC1931