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Oxygen device sparked sub blast Oxygen device sparked sub blast
(about 4 hours later)
An explosion on a submarine which killed two sailors was caused by an emergency oxygen device, the US military have said. An explosion on a submarine which killed two British sailors was caused by an emergency oxygen device, the US military has said.
The men died on board the Devonport-based nuclear submarine HMS Tireless during an operation under the Arctic icecap.The men died on board the Devonport-based nuclear submarine HMS Tireless during an operation under the Arctic icecap.
The submarine surfaced through the ice after the blast off Alaska.The submarine surfaced through the ice after the blast off Alaska.
A third sailor was airlifted to a hospital in Anchorage. He is expected to make a full recovery.A third sailor was airlifted to a hospital in Anchorage. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Air-purification equipment, known as a self-contained oxygen generation candle, was the source of the blast, the US authorities said.Air-purification equipment, known as a self-contained oxygen generation candle, was the source of the blast, the US authorities said.
The nuclear reactor of HMS Tireless was unaffected and the ship itself was not in danger, the Ministry of Defence said. The nuclear reactor of HMS Tireless was unaffected and the ship itself was not in danger, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
It had been taking part in a joint British-American exercise under the Arctic ice cap.It had been taking part in a joint British-American exercise under the Arctic ice cap.
Vice Admiral Jay Donnelly, commander of the US Submarine Force, said: "I am deeply saddened at the loss of the crew members from the Tireless.Vice Admiral Jay Donnelly, commander of the US Submarine Force, said: "I am deeply saddened at the loss of the crew members from the Tireless.
"Submariners are brothers at sea and we all feel the loss as if it were our own. We stand by to continue to assist in any way we can.""Submariners are brothers at sea and we all feel the loss as if it were our own. We stand by to continue to assist in any way we can."
The accident took place on board the Trafalgar-class submarine, which does not carry nuclear missiles, on Wednesday morning. The families of both dead sailors have been told.The accident took place on board the Trafalgar-class submarine, which does not carry nuclear missiles, on Wednesday morning. The families of both dead sailors have been told.
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said the piece of equipment which malfunctioned was fitted to all Trafalgar class submarines. A MoD spokesman said the piece of equipment which malfunctioned was fitted to all Trafalgar class submarines.
He said its use on other boats had been restricted until safety checks could be carried out.He said its use on other boats had been restricted until safety checks could be carried out.
Oxygen candles are emergency devices that create oxygen through a chemical reaction. Some devices burn at high temperatures during the reaction.Oxygen candles are emergency devices that create oxygen through a chemical reaction. Some devices burn at high temperatures during the reaction.
Tomahawk missilesTomahawk missiles
HMS Tireless was launched in 1985. The piece of air-purification machinery thought to have failed was fitted as part of an update in 2001.HMS Tireless was launched in 1985. The piece of air-purification machinery thought to have failed was fitted as part of an update in 2001.
The submarine is the third of seven "Trafalgar" Class SSN submarines in the Royal Navy, and usually carries of crew of 130.The submarine is the third of seven "Trafalgar" Class SSN submarines in the Royal Navy, and usually carries of crew of 130.
All Trafalgar class submarines are armed with five tubes capable of firing Tomahawk missiles.All Trafalgar class submarines are armed with five tubes capable of firing Tomahawk missiles.
The MoD will now hold an investigation, known as a Board of Inquiry, to prevent a reoccurrence of the tragedy and to see what lessons can be learned.The MoD will now hold an investigation, known as a Board of Inquiry, to prevent a reoccurrence of the tragedy and to see what lessons can be learned.