Gas blast in Russian nuclear sub killed one
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-20 10:37

A gas canister blew up inside a Russian submarine, thought to be one of the nuclear vessels of the Pacific fleet, killing a sailor who managed to prevent a much worse accident, Russia's NTV television reported on Friday.

The incident came to light when a funeral was held for the sailor who died, 19-year-old Dmitry Koval.

"I was told that there was an explosion, a gas explosion, and Dima was hit by the shockwave," said his mother, Tatyana Koval.

NTV said Koval died when a tank of torpedo coolant exploded while the submarine was at its moorings off Kamchatka in Russia's far east. NTV said the submarine could be a nuclear-powered K-211, also known as "Murena", in service since 1973.

"He saved the lives of the crew of the submarine. The circumstances of his death should be explained by the press service of the Pacific fleet," Captain Second Class Andrei Berezin told NTV. Two other crewmen were injured.

The Russian Defence Ministry declined to comment, and state media did not report the incident.

In 2000, the submarine Kursk sank and all 118 crew died.