World’s worst submarine accidents


1 Apr 10, 1963, USS Thresher USA Sank after losing power in tests off Cape Cod. Highest ever submarine death toll. 129 dead

2 Aug 12, 2000, K-141 Kursk RUS Sank in Barents Sea after blast in torpedo bay. Some crew survive but later suffocated. 118 dead

3 May 22, 1968, USS Scorpion USA Sank off Azores, most likely due to torpedo explosion. Vessel found at depth of 3,000m. 99 dead

4 Jun 1, 1938, HMS Thetis GBR Sank during final sea trials in Liverpool Bay. Repaired but sunk by Italian navy in 1943. 99 dead

5 Mar 8 1968, K-129 URS Sank off Oahu, cause still unknown. Located by U.S. ship after Soviet search failed. 98 dead

6 Apr 16, 2003, Great Wall (Ming 361) CHN. Yellow Sea. Faulty diesel engines consume oxygen supply, suffocating crew. 70 dead

7 Apr 12, 1970, K-8 URS Sank in Bay of Biscay after suffering two fires. Some crew evacuated safely. 52 dead

8 Apr 7, 1989, K-278 Komsomolets URS. Sank off Norwegian coast after fire breaks out following short circuit. 42 dead

9 Nov 8, 2008, K-152 Nerpa RUS Sea of Japan. Fire extinguishing system accidentally activated, releasing poisonous gas. 20 dead

10 Aug 14, 2013, INS Sindhurakshak IND. Russian-built submarine explodes in fireball in Mumbai harbour soon after major refit. 18 dead


Sources: Naval Technology, Digital Journal          © GRAPHIC NEWS