10.02.2009
The Amur shipbuilding Factory, which built the Russian nuclear sub Nerpa, are threatening to sue the vendors of the Freon that is used in the fire-extinguishing system of the submarine, Interfax reported. An accidental release of Freon in the sub resulted in the death of 20 sailors on November 8, 2008. The suit, whose date has not been announced, will presumably be heard in arbitration.
The management of the Amur Shipbuilding Factory had earlier announced that the fire extinguishing system of the sub had been filled by two-thirds with the poisonous substance Tetrachloroethylene. By the rules, the less toxic Tetraphtordibromethane was supposed to in the system, instead of Tetrachloroethylene.
Gennady Bagin, the director of the factory, told
Interfax in an interview that the Freon for the
Nerpa was purchased through an intermediary, and that it has not been possible to identify the manufacturer. The factory changed its provider of Freon after the incident, Bagin said.
Bagin also told
Interfax that an Indian delegation on February 10 will visit the
Vostok shipyards to inspect the
Nerpa and discuss plans for further sea trials. The program of the delegation will include a ceremony to lay flowers at the graves of the victims of the incident on the
Nerpa.
The
Nerpa was reportedly to be leased to India for 10 years. But since the incident, the Russian military has been denying the information.
The incident took place during sea trial in the Sea of Japan. Seventeen civilians and 3 servicemen died in the incident.
Dmitry Grabov, a sailor under contract, was immediately taken into custody after the incident on suspicion of having being behind the incident that led to the release of Freon in the sub. He was charged under Article 19 part 3 of the Russian criminal code (provoking the death of two and more people as a result of careless actions). Prosecutors accused the sailor switched on the fire extinguishing system without permission. Grabov admitted his guilt during a questioning session.
Officially, the investigation into the incident will be concluded in February of 2009. The case should be sent to court the following March, a representative of the committee investigating the incident told
Ria Novosti on February 9.
Source:
Translation:
RusNavy.com
