RTTue, 02 Jul 2019 15:40 UTC
© Sputnik / Pavel Lvov
At least 14 Russian Navy servicemen have died after a scientific deep submersible caught fire while on a mission, Russia's Defense Ministry has said. The cause of the incident is still unknown.
A deep-water research apparatus belonging to the Russian Navy was conducting a bathymetric measurement operation in Russian territorial waters when a fire broke out on board, the ministry's statement said.The incident claimed the lives of 14 seamen, who were suffocated by smoke. Despite this, the crew managed to extinguish the flames.The deep submersible has since returned to the Russian Navy base in the northern city of Severomorsk. The cause of the incident is still being investigated. Russian Navy chief, Nikolay Efimov, has taken the issue under personal control.
Comment: UPDATE July 3:
RT reports Putin's comments on the disaster, noting that several high ranking officers were among those killed in the fire:
In a first public statement about the fatal incident on board of a Russian deep sea research vehicle, President Vladimir Putin said that it's a "great loss," adding that 2 heroes of Russia and 7 high-ranking officers were killed.
"It is not an ordinary vessel, it is a research vessel," the president said while meeting with the Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu in the wake of the tragedy.
Putin referred to the vessel's crew as "highly qualified professionals" and called the deaths of 14 sailors a "great loss for Russia and our fleet."
He specified that two of those who died in the fire on board the research vessel were previously awarded the nation's highest honorary title - the Hero of Russia - while seven were navy officers in the rank of 'captain 1st class' (Russian equivalent to NATO OF-5/US O-6 captain rank).
Putin ordered Shoigu to personally travel to Severomorsk, where the research vessel is currently stationed, to oversee the investigation and to report to him upon return.
Meanwhile,
rumors are flying as people attempt to connect Pence's abrupt cancellation of his trip to New Hampshire with the emergency security meetings in Moscow and Brussels after the submarine accident. Both the VP and WH spokesmen said there was 'no emergency callback' or 'cause for concern", adding that the change of plans was not related to Pence's or Trump's health.This hasn't helped put rumors to rest:
Comment: UPDATE July 3: RT reports Putin's comments on the disaster, noting that several high ranking officers were among those killed in the fire: Meanwhile, rumors are flying as people attempt to connect Pence's abrupt cancellation of his trip to New Hampshire with the emergency security meetings in Moscow and Brussels after the submarine accident. Both the VP and WH spokesmen said there was 'no emergency callback' or 'cause for concern", adding that the change of plans was not related to Pence's or Trump's health.This hasn't helped put rumors to rest: