Russian Submarine Kursk Explosion

Russian Submarine Kursk Explosion

The explosion of the Russian class 949a "Antey" submarine Kursk occurred on 12 August 2000, when it sank in the Barents Sea. The investigation showed that a leak of hydrogen peroxide in a torpedo led to explosion of its fuel, causing the submarine to hit the bottom which in turn triggered the detonation of further torpedo warheads about two minutes later. This second explosion was equivalent to about 2-3 tonnes of TNT, large enough to register on seismographs across Northern Europe.

Despite a rescue attempt by British and Norwegian teams, which was severely delayed due to the Russians refusing them access, all 118 sailors and officers aboard Kursk died. The next year, a Dutch team recovered the wreckage and all of the bodies, which were buried in Russia.