26 February,2014 11:46 AM IST | | Vinod Kumar Menon/ Agencies
Seven naval personnel airlifted to naval hospital INSH Asvini from INS Sindhuratna following accident off Mumbai coast; rescue operators on the lookout for two missing sailors
Mumbai: Seven naval personnel were airlifted to naval hospital INSH Asvini from the kilo class Indian Navy Submarine Sindhuratna following the accident off the coast of Mumbai. Are seven are under observation. Meanwhile, rescue operators are looking for the two missing sailors from the submarine.
Speaking to MiD DAY, Commander Rahul Sinha said, "The Navy helicopter has rescued the crew members, including some officials, who were on board and they are undergoing treatment at the naval hospital."
Preliminary inquires have revealed that INS Sindhuratna was around 50 nautical miles away from Mumbai harbour when, early morning around 6 am, smoke was spotted from one of the compartments of the submarine. Most of the crews on board had inhaled the smoke and they were complaining of breathlessness, explained a naval official.
Sindhuratna was not loaded with missiles at the time of incident and was on a routine training and inspection. The exact reason for the smoke is not known, and soon after the Navy learnt about the incident, nearby vessels and rescue team was dispatched, including the naval helicopter.
Interestingly, it is not clear if the submarine was on the surface or was underwater.
When asked if they have taken help from Coast Guard in the rescue operation, Commander Sinha replied in negative.
Queried about the reason behind the smoke, he added, "The Navy has initiated a high level probe into the incident and that only once the inquiry is complete the reason for the same would be known."
