Stricken sub: Missing naval officers feared dead

The two missing naval officers aboard accident-stricken submarine INS Sindhuratna are feared dead, official sources said here Thursday.

A defence ministry official said the bodies are yet to be recovered.

INS Sindhuratna, struck by an accident in the battery-compartment while on a training mission in the Arabian Sea early Wednesday, reached the naval harbour Thursday morning.

Seven personnel were injured and two were reported missing after smoke filled up a compartment in the sailors' accommodation area.

The smoke -- the cause of which is still not clear -- was battled by the 94-strong crew aboard the submarine. The seven personnel who fell unconscious after inhaling it had to be airlifted to a naval hospital in Mumbai.