Two Naval officers were declared dead by the Indian Navy in an accident on INS Sindhuratna. They are Lt Commander Kapish Muwal and Lt Manoranjan Kumar.

“The two officers who were earlier declared missing have been located in the compartment and after examination by medical officers both the officers were declared dead,” the Navy press release stated.

The submarine, which suffered a mishap after heavy smoke filled one of its compartments, reached the Mumbai harbour the next day. The Russian-made Kilo class submarine was forced to surface after the accident. The submarine was on a routine exercise when smoke engulfed it leading to the accident, Navy sources said.

The Indian Navy has stated INS Sindhuratna was at sea off Mumbai for routine training and workup (inspection). While at sea in the early hours of February 26, 2014, smoke was reported in the sailors’ accommodation, in compartment number three. Smoke was brought under control by the submarine’s crew.

In the process of controlling the smoke/fire, seven crew members inhaled smoke and felt uneasy. The Headquarters, Western Naval Command (HQWNC) rushed a Sea King helicopter with medical team. Seven of the nine crew members were transferred to naval hospital Asvini.

Naval ships were dispatched by HQWNC to provide assistance to the submarine. Submarine is safe and does not have any weapons on board. The submarine will return to harbour shortly. An inquiry has been ordered to establish the cause of the incident.

Taking moral responsibility for the accidents and incidents which have taken place during the past few months, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral D.K. Joshi resigned from the post of CNS on February 27. The Government has accepted the resignation of Admiral Joshi with immediate effect.

The Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral R.K. Dhowan will be discharging the duties of officiating CNS, pending appointment of regular CNS.