Russia: Fire system caused 20 sub deaths

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- An accident that killed 20 people on a new Russian nuclear submarine was caused by a malfunctioning fire safety system that spewed out chemicals, according to an initial investigation, officials said Sunday.

The submarine, believed to be called Nerpa, is seen heading to its base on Sunday in a Russian TV image.

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At least 21 other people were injured during Saturday's test run in the Sea of Japan, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
It was Russia's worst naval accident since the nuclear submarine Kursk sank after an onboard torpedo explosion on August 12, 2000, killing all 118 crew members.
The latest fatal accident was the result of the "accidental launch of the fire-extinguishing system" on the Pacific Fleet sub, Russian navy spokesman Capt. Igor Dygalo told reporters.
Russian news agency Interfax said a preliminary forensic investigation found that the release of Freon gas following the activation of the fire extinguishing system may have caused the fatalities.
Seventeen of the fatalities were civilian members of the shipyard crew, Interfax reported. The submarine was being field tested before it became a official part of the navy, according to a Russian Defense Ministry statement.
The statement said 208 people, including 81 soldiers were on board the submarine. In addition to the