International Mission to Save Russian Submarine

An international rescue operation has been launched today to save the crew of a Russian mini-submarine trapped almost 200 metres down on the sea floor of the Pacific Ocean with only enough oxygen to last for 24 hours.

The Russian navy has sent nine ships to help raise the stricken submarine, while Japan despatched four naval vessels this afternoon, although they are not expected to reach the site until early next week.

The US has also agreed to help, said a Russian naval official.

A US plane will deliver a robotic rescue vehicle to the accident site off the Kamchatka Peninsula, said Igor Dygalo, chief spokesman for the Russian navy.

The propeller of the AS-28 mini-submarine became entangled in fishing nets during a military exercise yesterday. The submarine - itself a rescue vessel - then became caught in the net's anchor wire.

At first, Russian officials thought the crew of seven men had enough oxygen to last for five days. But new projections revealed there was only enough air for one more day.

"After additional calculations by fleet specialists and after talks with the crew, it has been established that there was only a 24-hour supply of air on the AS-28," said Mr Dygalo.

Trapped at 190 metres (600ft) on the seabed, the mini-submarine is too deep to allow the sailors to swim to the surface or for rescue divers to reach it.

"There has been contact with the crew and no one has been hurt," said Alexander Kosolapov, a spokesman for Russia's Pacific Fleet. There is enough food and water on board for the crew.

The accident occurred almost exactly five years after the Kursk nuclear submarine disaster in August 2000, in which all 118 seamen onboard died. The submarine sank to the bottom of the Arctic Barents Sea.

The Russian authorities were harshly criticised after the Kursk disaster for delaying in asking for international help.