Indian Navy submarine blasts, 18 sailors feared trapped

MUMBAI, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Indian Navy's INS Sindhurakshak submarine at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard blasted and then caught fire early Wednesday morning, with 18 sailors feared trapped inside the gutted vessel, local news channel NDTV said.

According to navy officials, the submarine blasted around 12 p. m. in the midnight, and soon it was on major fire. Sailors on board jumped off the ship for safety. Local residents even can saw fire and heavy smoke from the spot.

At least 16 fire engines of Mumbai Fire Brigade and Mumbai Port Trust rushed to the site and conducted fire-fighting and rescue work.

The fire has been brought under control, but 18 sailors who were on board at the time of the incident are still feared to be trapped inside.

The injured people are already sent to Indian Navy's Asvini hospital for treatment.

The cause of the incident is to be investigated. But some navy officials said the torpedoes inside the submarine caused the explosion and fire.