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Russia downplays submarine blast | Russia downplays submarine blast |
(about 15 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 White Sea 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 submarines has a history of deadly accidents. | |
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. | 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. |