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Two sailors killed on submarine | Two sailors killed on submarine |
(20 minutes later) | |
Two British sailors have died in an accident on a nuclear submarine. | Two British sailors have died in an accident on a nuclear submarine. |
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed an incident had taken place on HMS Tireless during an exercise under the Arctic icecap at 0420 GMT on Wednesday. | The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed an incident had taken place on HMS Tireless during an exercise under the Arctic icecap at 0420 GMT on Wednesday. |
One other member of the crew of the Devonport-based submarine was injured and is receiving medical treatment. | One other member of the crew of the Devonport-based submarine was injured and is receiving medical treatment. |
Air-purification equipment is thought to have caused the accident. The MoD expressed its "deep regret" and said the vessel was safe and on the surface. | Air-purification equipment is thought to have caused the accident. The MoD expressed its "deep regret" and said the vessel was safe and on the surface. |
The SSN Attack Submarine was on a joint British-American exercise off the coast of Alaska when the incident happened. | |
The MoD said the reactor was unaffected by the accident and stressed it was not one of the submarines that carries Trident missiles. | |
I very much regret that this incident has occurred and my thoughts go out to the family and friends of the men who have lost their lives Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent | |
A piece of air-purification equipment in the forward section of the submarine was thought to be responsible, the MoD spokesman said. | |
The dead sailors' next of kin have been informed. | The dead sailors' next of kin have been informed. |
An injured sailor was airlifted to a military hospital at Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage with non life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. | |
In a statement, the MoD said: "The two members of the crew died as a result of the initial accident. | In a statement, the MoD said: "The two members of the crew died as a result of the initial accident. |
"Their next of kin have been informed and our sympathies are with them and their friends at this difficult time." | "Their next of kin have been informed and our sympathies are with them and their friends at this difficult time." |
The MoD said the ship's company dealt with the incident "quickly and professionally" and, as a result, there was only superficial damage to the forward compartment. | The MoD said the ship's company dealt with the incident "quickly and professionally" and, as a result, there was only superficial damage to the forward compartment. |
HMS TIRELESS Trafalgar class submarineCrew: 130Length:85.4mArmament: Can carry Spearfish Torpedoes and Tomahawk MissilesSource: Royal Navy Military fact file | |
"The submarine was never in any danger, its nuclear reactor was unaffected, it quickly surfaced and is completely safe," the MOD added. | "The submarine was never in any danger, its nuclear reactor was unaffected, it quickly surfaced and is completely safe," the MOD added. |
Tireless was launched in 1985, but the piece of air-purification machinery thought to have failed was fitted as part of an update in 2001. | Tireless was launched in 1985, but the piece of air-purification machinery thought to have failed was fitted as part of an update in 2001. |
The piece of equipment which malfunctioned is fitted to all Trafalgar Class submarines. | The piece of equipment which malfunctioned is fitted to all Trafalgar Class submarines. |
The MoD said it had a 100% safety record to date but, as a precaution, its use on other boats would be restricted until safety checks could be carried out. | The MoD said it had a 100% safety record to date but, as a precaution, its use on other boats would be restricted until safety checks could be carried out. |
MoD inquiry | |
Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent, Commander-In-Chief Fleet, said: "I very much regret that this incident has occurred and my thoughts go out to the family and friends of the men who have lost their lives. | Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent, Commander-In-Chief Fleet, said: "I very much regret that this incident has occurred and my thoughts go out to the family and friends of the men who have lost their lives. |
"I also wish to pay tribute to the crew of HMS Tireless that this incident has been dealt with and contained so professionally." | "I also wish to pay tribute to the crew of HMS Tireless that this incident has been dealt with and contained so professionally." |
The Tireless has caused controversy in the past. | The Tireless has caused controversy in the past. |
In May 2003 it was taken to Scotland for repairs and prompted a MoD inquiry after it collided with an object at sea. | In May 2003 it was taken to Scotland for repairs and prompted a MoD inquiry after it collided with an object at sea. |
In 2001, its presence in Gibraltar put a strain on relations with Spain and caused outrage among environmentalists. | In 2001, its presence in Gibraltar put a strain on relations with Spain and caused outrage among environmentalists. |
The vessel had become stranded in Gibraltar after suffering a crack in its cooling system. |