More than 20 people are reported to be dead after the fire fighting system malfunctioned during sea trials of a nuclear submarine in Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
Russia’s Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov reported the reported the details to the President.

President Dmitry Medvedev ordered a “full and meticulous” investigation and “all possible aid and support to the victims’ families”.

Igor Dygalo, a senior navy commander was quated as saying  “During sea trials of a nuclear-powered submarine of the Pacific Fleet the fire fighting system went off unsanctioned, killing over 20 people, including servicemen and workers,”

He also said that the submarine is not damaged and its reactor works as normal. Radiation levels on the submarine were also normal. Dygalo added the submarine was ordered to suspend the sea trials and return to port.