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| Russia: Fire kills 14 sailors aboard navy research submersible | Russia: Fire kills 14 sailors aboard navy research submersible |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| A fire aboard a Russian navy research submersible has killed 14 crew members, the Russian defence ministry says. | A fire aboard a Russian navy research submersible has killed 14 crew members, the Russian defence ministry says. |
| The crew was poisoned by fumes as the vessel was taking measurements in Russian territorial waters on Monday. | The crew was poisoned by fumes as the vessel was taking measurements in Russian territorial waters on Monday. |
| The ministry gave no details about the type of vessel. But Russian media reports say it was a nuclear mini-submarine used for special operations. | The ministry gave no details about the type of vessel. But Russian media reports say it was a nuclear mini-submarine used for special operations. |
| The fire was later put out and the vessel is now at Severomorsk, the main base of the Russian Northern Fleet. | The fire was later put out and the vessel is now at Severomorsk, the main base of the Russian Northern Fleet. |
| The defence ministry did not say how many crew members were aboard at the time. Reports in local media say several crew were injured and taken to hospital. | The defence ministry did not say how many crew members were aboard at the time. Reports in local media say several crew were injured and taken to hospital. |
| An investigation into the incident has begun under the commander-in-chief of the navy. | An investigation into the incident has begun under the commander-in-chief of the navy. |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin later on Tuesday pulled out of a scheduled event in the Tver region, north-west of Moscow, to discuss the issue with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. | Russian President Vladimir Putin later on Tuesday pulled out of a scheduled event in the Tver region, north-west of Moscow, to discuss the issue with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. |
| Mr Putin described the incident as a big loss for the Russian Navy, and expressed "sincere condolences" to the victims' families. | Mr Putin described the incident as a big loss for the Russian Navy, and expressed "sincere condolences" to the victims' families. |
| Seven captains and two service personnel awarded Russia's highest honorary title, Hero of the Russian Federation, were among those who died on board the vessel, the president said. | Seven captains and two service personnel awarded Russia's highest honorary title, Hero of the Russian Federation, were among those who died on board the vessel, the president said. |
| Mr Shoigu was ordered to go immediately to Severomorsk. | Mr Shoigu was ordered to go immediately to Severomorsk. |
| It's still not clear what caused the fire, which the crew ultimately brought under control; we don't know how many men survived. | It's still not clear what caused the fire, which the crew ultimately brought under control; we don't know how many men survived. |
| And there are still questions over exactly what vessel was involved. | And there are still questions over exactly what vessel was involved. |
| President Putin said the dead included two heroes of Russia and seven "captains 1st rank"- which seems unusually senior - for research work. | |
| Some media in Russia are citing sources saying they could have been on board a nuclear-powered submarine, possibly even the secretive AS-12. It is thought to be used for highly sensitive missions. | Some media in Russia are citing sources saying they could have been on board a nuclear-powered submarine, possibly even the secretive AS-12. It is thought to be used for highly sensitive missions. |
| Mr Putin returned especially to the Kremlin from out of town to order his defence minister to oversee the investigation. | Mr Putin returned especially to the Kremlin from out of town to order his defence minister to oversee the investigation. |
| The president is clearly keen not to repeat his disastrous handling of the Kursk submarine disaster in August 2000, when 118 men died. | The president is clearly keen not to repeat his disastrous handling of the Kursk submarine disaster in August 2000, when 118 men died. |
| That accident was shrouded in secrecy - and Mr Putin initially stayed on holiday for several days. | That accident was shrouded in secrecy - and Mr Putin initially stayed on holiday for several days. |
| Submersibles are generally smaller vessels with limited crew on board supported by ships on the surface, while submarines are larger vessels capable of operating autonomously over long distances. | Submersibles are generally smaller vessels with limited crew on board supported by ships on the surface, while submarines are larger vessels capable of operating autonomously over long distances. |
| The Kursk submarine, which was destroyed by the blasts in the Barents Sea, was also part of the Northern Fleet. | The Kursk submarine, which was destroyed by the blasts in the Barents Sea, was also part of the Northern Fleet. |
| Underwater tragedies | Underwater tragedies |
| Accidents involving underwater vessels are rare. Here are some of the most serious: | Accidents involving underwater vessels are rare. Here are some of the most serious: |