INS Sindhurakshak: Fire damages nearby submarine

Mumbai, Aug 14: The explosion aboard the INS Sindhurakshak has also reportedly damaged INS Sindhuratna, another submarine, which was located next to the former at the naval dockyard here.

The cause of the fire at INS Sindhurakshak has not been officially confirmed although informal sources said that detonation of weapons stored aboard the submarine caused the deadly mishap.

Times Now reported that debris of missiles and boosters aboard the ill-fated submarine were found in the dockyard, suggesting at their explosion. INS Sindhurakskah recently underwent a $18 million in Russia and the impact of Wednesday's mishap could see it going out of action permanently.

Eighteen personnel who were trapped inside the submarine went missing and rescue operations were on in full swing. The injured were taken to INS Ashvini.

Defence Minister A K Antony was set to visit the dockyard on Wednesday.

Minister of State in the shipping ministry Milind Deora asked the Mumbai Port Trust to back rescue operations.

OneIndia News