'Negative indication' about catastrophe survivors: Navy chief

Terming INS Sindhurakshak incident as a "catastrophe", Navy chief Admiral D K Joshi today indicated there was little hope of survival of 18 personnel on board the submarine, which exploded and sank at the naval dockyard here.
"We hope for the best and are prepared for the worst," he told reporters at the Western Naval Command headquarters.
He, however, said three other sailors, who were on the "upper casing" of the submarine when the tragedy occurred, survived, sustaining "only minor injuries". "They have been discharged (from the hospital)," he added.
"Miracles do happen... There may be some air pocket or some may have got access to breathing sack," he said when asked if there could be survivors among the 18 including three officers.

Responding to a query, the Navy chief did not rule out the possibility of a sabotage but said indications at this time do not support such a theory.
"A board of inquiry has been ordered which will bring out all the details," he said. The inquiry is expected to be completed in four weeks.

"We do not have answers to what caused the fire," he said, adding "There are several ingredients (on a naval vessel) that contribute to or cause fire, including explosives, fuel, oxygen bottles.
"We hope to determine what caused this catastrophe," Joshi, who accompanied Defence Minister A K Antony to the naval dockyard, said.

"So far, the Navy divers have been able to open the main hatch," Joshi said when asked about the rescue efforts, but added "there has been no communication with the staff inside, regrettably.