Kursk submarine disaster
The Kursk submarine disaster was the sinking of the Russian nuclear-powered submarine K-141 Kursk in the Barents Sea on 12 August 2000.
The Kursk submarine disaster was the sinking of the Russian nuclear-powered submarine K-141 Kursk in the Barents Sea on 12 August 2000. All 118 people on board died. The official Russian inquiry later concluded the disaster began with an explosion linked to a faulty torpedo in the bow compartment.
Background
K-141 Kursk was an Oscar II-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine of the Russian Navy. It was taking part in a naval exercise when the disaster occurred.
Sinking and loss of life
The submarine sank on 12 August 2000 in the Barents Sea. All 118 personnel aboard were killed, making it one of the deadliest submarine disasters in peacetime.
Cause of the disaster
The official Russian inquiry concluded that the sinking began with a torpedo explosion caused by a leak of high-test peroxide from a torpedo casing. Accounts of the cause varied in the early aftermath, including speculation about other explosions or collisions.
Recovery and aftermath
The wreck was raised in October 2001, but the bow section was cut away and left on the seabed. The disaster led to prolonged public scrutiny of the rescue effort, the handling of the incident, and official communication.
Key facts
- Kursk sank during a Russian Navy exercise in the Barents Sea on 12 August 2000.
- All 118 crew members died.
- The submarine was a Russian Oscar II-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine.
- Russian and later secondary reporting attributed the initial explosion to a faulty torpedo involving high-test peroxide.
- The wreck was raised in October 2001, though the bow section remained on the seabed.
The disaster is relevant to Canadian readers as a major post–Cold War maritime tragedy and an example of submarine safety, rescue failures, and Russia–NATO-era military tensions.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Kursk submarine?
When did the Kursk disaster happen?
How many people died?
What caused the sinking?
Was the Kursk raised from the seabed?
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/event/Kursk-submarine-disasterSupports: Date, location, crew death toll, submarine class, and raising of the wreck.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_submarine_KurskSupports: Submarine designation, class, date of sinking, and total fatalities.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kursk_submarine_disasterSupports: Official explanation involving a torpedo explosion and high-test peroxide.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33881479Supports: Deaths of all 118 crew members and anniversary context.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10950701Supports: Cause attributed to torpedo fuel and the recovery of the boat in 2001.
- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — https://www.rferl.org/a/kursk-russia-submarine-disaster/27183289.htmlSupports: Two explosions and loss of all 118 personnel.