Sixth body located,hope of finding the rest fades

Fifth days after multiple explosions and fire ruptured and sunk the Kilo class submarines,the Navy still continues to face the same problems — murky waters,bad light,sharp edges,melted equipment and fatigued divers.

While three fourth area of the submarine surveyed,with the aft-end hatch leading to the rear of the submarine,and the conning tower hatch leading to the remaining forward compartments,its only the battery pit or the fourth compartment that remains to be accessed. Officials add that the search operation might conclude once the forward compartments are fully scanned.

“We will continue till we are sure all corners have been surveyed as now the search is mostly through touch and feel methods,” said a Navy official.

Meanwhile SMIT salvers,Mammoet salvers and Great Offshore Salvage have made their preliminary survey and according to Navy officials,they have also begun their exercise alongside Navy rescue divers.

Meanwhile the navy family support cell in Mumbai,the statement read has remained in continuous contact to provide the necessary “succour and emotional support” to the members of the families of the 18 crew who went down with the submarine. The statement also added that the Naval command in Visakhapatnam has also established a similar family support for family members who could not travel to Mumbai.