Scientists To Plug Leaky Sunken Sub

Russian scientists headed for the Norwegian Sea on Saturday to seal holes in a sunken nuclear submarine and prevent possible radiation leakage.

The expedition plans to patch the titanium hull of the submarine Komsomolets, which sank six years ago in waters 5,600 feet deep, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

Experts fear that radioactive plutonium could leak from the submarine’s nuclear reactor or two nuclear-tipped torpedoes.

The repair work will be done with the help of deep-diving miniature submarines. Scientists also will sample water, silt and plankton in the wreckage area.

The Komsomolets sank April 7, 1989, after catching fire 210 miles north of Norway. Only 27 of the 69 crew members survived.