Move FM Global News

MOSCOW, Russia – Fourteen sailors in the Russian Navy, including 7 captains, have been killed in a fire on board a deep-water submersible vessel attached to the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet, on a scientific research operation in Russian territorial waters.

The fire, on Monday, was eventually extinguished by crew members, however a large number of those on board died due to smoke inhalation.

The vessel has since returned to the Russian Naval Base in the northern Russian city of Severomorsk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the tragedy as “a huge loss for the fleet and the military in general.”

“It is not an ordinary vessel, it is a research vessel,” the president said at a meeting with Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu on Tuesday.

He pointed out that two of those who died were previously awarded the nation’s highest honorary title, the Hero of Russia medal.

He said seven Navy officers with the rank of Captain were also among the dead.

Putin has ordered Shoigu to personally take charge of the investigation and to travel to Severomorsk where the vessel is now stationed immediately.

“I would like to convey my most sincere condolences to the families of the dead. We must do everything we can to provide assistance and support for them,” the Russian president said.

(File photo – Credit: Russian Defence Ministry).