Human Error Caused Submarine Explosion: Reports

Human error and “mishandling of equipment” is believed to have led to the fatal explosion aboard a Russian-built Indian navy submarine last week, according to local reports.

The INS Sindhurakshak, a Kilo-class (Project 877 EKM) diesel-electric powered submarine sank on August 14 in Mumbai where it was moored after a series of detonations downed the boat and set off a massive fire.

Six bodies have been found on board the sunken boat so far while the search continues for another 12 crew members, according to the Times of India.

A team of Russian experts visiting Mumbai have ruled out “technical error or sabotage” as the cause of the accident, the report said. "The experts raised the possibility of mishandling of equipment as the reason" for the disaster, the newspaper said citing an unnamed source. 

The Russian shipyard in charge of the INS Sindhurakshak’s overhaul and refit issued a statement saying that the recent work on the sub has no connection to the explosion.

“The vessel was battle-ready and technically sound,” an official at Zvezdochka shipyard told Interfax news agency.

India took delivery of the upgraded submarine in January this year after undergoing modernisation in the repair facility in the north Russian port of Severodvinsk, the factory said on its website.

 “The Indian side has not yet contacted us with a request for our group’s specialists to take part in finding out why this accident happened,” a Zvezdochka spokesman told RIA Novosti Monday. 

The submarine was refurbished in Russia only three months ago for an estimated $80 million and was fitted with the latest an improved warfare system and was expected to serve for at least 10 years more.