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Russia downplays submarine blast Russia downplays submarine blast
(about 3 hours later)
Russia says one of its nuclear submarines has been damaged by a surge in air pressure, downplaying earlier reports of an explosion.Russia says one of its nuclear submarines has been damaged by a surge in air pressure, downplaying earlier reports of an explosion.
A ballast tank aboard the submarine was damaged in what a navy official described as a minor incident, according to the Interfax news agency.A ballast tank aboard the submarine was damaged in what a navy official described as a minor incident, according to the Interfax news agency.
No casualties were reported and radiation levels at the Arctic port of Severodvinsk are said to be normal. No casualties were reported and radiation levels at the White Sea port of Severodvinsk are said to be normal.
The incident took place as the submarine was being repaired.The incident took place as the submarine was being repaired.
According to the Reuters news agency, the Russian navy usually shuts down reactors and removes nuclear fuel during repairs to its submarines.According to the Reuters news agency, the Russian navy usually shuts down reactors and removes nuclear fuel during repairs to its submarines.
"The management of the [dockyard]... considers the accident as minor," Russian navy spokesman Igor Dygalo told the Itar-Tass news agency."The management of the [dockyard]... considers the accident as minor," Russian navy spokesman Igor Dygalo told the Itar-Tass news agency.
An environmental official in Norway, near the port of Severodvinsk, told Reuters there was no sign of increased radioactivity as a result of the accident.An environmental official in Norway, near the port of Severodvinsk, told Reuters there was no sign of increased radioactivity as a result of the accident.
Russia's Ekho Moskvy radio earlier reported that an explosion had damaged more than 20sq m (215sq ft) of the submarine's hull.Russia's Ekho Moskvy radio earlier reported that an explosion had damaged more than 20sq m (215sq ft) of the submarine's hull.
Russia's ageing fleet of nuclear submarine has a history of deadly accidents.Russia's ageing fleet of nuclear submarine has a history of deadly accidents.
In one of the worst recent incidents, the Kursk submarine broke down and sank to the floor of the Barents Sea, killing all 188 crew aboard it. In one of the worst recent incidents, the Kursk submarine sank to the floor of the Barents Sea after two explosions on board, killing all 188 crew.