Russia buries victims of nuke submarine disaster

Mourners paid homage to the victims killed in the Nerpa nuclear submarine disaster.

Thousands of people from the far eastern Russian city of Komsolmolsk-on-Amur gathered for the funerals of 12 of 20 workers killed in the accident.

The men died of asphyxiation when the nuclear subs fire extinguishing system was triggered, pumping toxic freon gas into the submarine.

The disaster brings back memories of the sinking of the submarine Kursk in 2000, which claimed the lives of 118 sailors.

The accident happened on Saturday in the Sea of Japan as the Akula class attack sub was undergoing trials before being leased to India. Russia has now confirmed the nuclear vessel will remain in its navy.

There have been claims the craft was overcrowded and questions remain as to why so many civilians were aboard the submarine.

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