Navy orders inquiry into submarine blast

Due to the explosion, the submarine has submerged at the dock with only a portion visible above the surface. 

On Wednesday Navy ordered a board of inquiry to probe the explosion and subsequent fire onboard its submarine INS Sindurakshak which has sunk.

The fate of 18 persons onboard the submarine is being ascertained, a Navy official said.

An explosion resulting in a major fire took place on board INS Sindhurakshak, a Kilo class submarine of the Indian Navy, shortly after midnight, a defense spokesperson said.

Fire tenders from the Naval dock yard as well as the Mumbai Fire Brigade were immediately pressed into action, he said.