Russia: Fire kills 14 sailors aboard navy research submersible
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 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.
Rumors of imminent global conflict turned out to be unfounded.
Also at NYT.
(Score: 2) by SunTzuWarmaster on Wednesday July 03 2019, @07:45PM (1 child)
WTF? This is... highly suspicious. 14 people perished...
From TFA: "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."
...
Why did this boat have SEVEN captains on it? TFA indicates that this seems "unusually senior". Ya think? For a boat having a crew of 25?
(Score: 2) by looorg on Wednesday July 03 2019, @10:15PM
While it does seem a bit odd someone can probably still have the rank of Captain but still not be the Captain of the vessel. That said it does appear a bit odd perhaps that they somehow stacked the boat with so many ranking officers. Unless they were also promoted posthumously as some kind of gesture, boosting pension and such for the widows, appeasing loved once and such.