Berthed Indian submarine sinks with 18 sailors trapped on board

Fate of the 18 sailors uncertain as efforts launched to rescue the trapped personnel.

MUMBAI: At least 18 Indian sailors are believed to be trapped aboard a berthed conventionally powered Indian submarine which sank shortly after a reported explosion at the coastal city of Mumbai early on Wednesday, the navy said.

"There are some people who are trapped on board, we are in the process of trying to rescue them, we suspect it to be in the range of 18," said navy spokesperson PVS Satish.

"We will not give up until we get to them," Satish said.

The explosion inside the INS Sindhurakshak was likely an accident, Satish said. Photos distributed by social media users appeared to show a large fireball over the navy dock where the diesel-electric submarine was berthed.

Television reports said the vessel was half submerged after the fire.

The INS Sindhurakshak was upgraded at a Russian shipyard last year, according to Russian media.

The apparent accident comes in the same week as India launched a locally refitted aircraft carrier due for completion in 2017, and announced that the reactor on India's first home-built nuclear submarine was now operational.

Press Trust of India reported that the Indian Navy has ordered an inquiry into the fire.

Navy orders board of enquiry into Naval submarine fire in Mumbai: Navy Official.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 14, 2013