Ships ride at anchors at a naval dockyard where a submarine caught fire and sank after an explosion in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013.NEW DELHI – A huge explosion and fire that crippled an Indian navy submarine in its home port of Mumbai on Wednesday killed at least some of the 18 sailors aboard, the country’s defense minister said.
Defense Minister A.K. Antony gave no other details but said he felt sad about the loss of lives.
“It’s a loss to all of us. It’s a tragedy,” Antony told reporters before leaving for Mumbai to assess the situation.
Local TV news station Headlines Today showed video of the explosion on the diesel-powered submarine, apparently filmed by a bystander. An enormous ball of red and yellow fire rose hundreds of feet into the air.
One man standing outside the dockyard who declined to give his name said he heard a sound like a rocket or jet engine, then a blast. Another witness said the sky turned red after the explosion. Nearly a dozen fire engines rushed to the dockyard to douse the fire.