The preliminary inquiry report on the INS Sindhuratna tragedy has stated that a ‘human error’ led to the fire on the submarine, say sources. Sources say the probe mentions a deviation from standard operating procedure.
The report had revealed that fire in some cables led to the smoke in the third compartment. Earlier it was said that the smoke was caused by faulty batteries.
Two sailors lost their lives and seven others were injured after inhaling toxic smoke on board the submarine. The Navy said Lieutenant Commander Kapish Muwal and Lieutenant Manoranjan Kumar were trapped in the third compartment after smoke filled the room.
The Opposition BJP had slammed the Centre for neglecting the Navy and not taking steps to upgrade it despite a Navy report warning of the depleting submarine fleet. Most of India’s submarines are over 20-years-old. INS Sindhuratna was 26-years-old.
