'Human error' led to INS Sindhuratna tragedy: Probe

New Delhi, March 7: The preliminary inquiry into the INS Sindhuratna tragedy has found that a 'human error' led to the fire on the submarine, said an IBN-Live report.

The probe mentions a 'deviation from standard operating procedure'. Fire in some cables led to the smoke in the third compartment, said the report. Earlier it was believed that the smoke was caused by faulty batteries.

The probe mentions a 'deviation from standard operating procedure'

Two sailors lost their lives and seven others were injured after inhaling toxic smoke on board the submarine. The Navy said Lieutenant Commander Kapish Muwal and Lieutenant Manoranjan Kumar were trapped in the third compartment after smoke filled the room.

The Opposition BJP had slammed the Centre for neglecting the Navy and not taking steps to upgrade it despite a Navy report warning of the depleting submarine fleet. Most of India's submarines are over 20-years-old. INS Sindhuratna was 26-years-old. INS Sindhuratna was being sea tested after a refit, about 40 to 50 km off the Mumbai coast when the smoke was detected.

The senior-most submarine officer of the Western Naval Command was on board. It has been told that the submarine was not carrying any weapons or ammunition. The submarine had not been placed under operational command yet as it was still under the testing mode.

"The smoke was detected around 6 am on the submarine by the crew. As soon as the Navy Operation Centre learnt about the mishap, Navy helicopters were pressed into service. The crew was airlifted and has been admitted to the Navy hospital. The submarine is afloat and no damage has been reported. Navy crew is on board and the damage is being ascertained," Navy spokesperson told The Hindu. Last year 18 crew members died after a major fire broke out on INS Sindhurakshak near Mumbai.

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