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Breaking News

Russian Sub Trapped in Barents Sea

Aired August 14, 2000 - 1:18 p.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: Efforts are being made to rescue more than 100 crew members from a Russian nuclear submarine, but the head of the Russian navy concedes the chances of success are not very good. The Russian submarine Kursk is trapped at the bottom of the Barents Sea, in Arctic waters off Russia's northern coast.

CNN's Steve Harrigan following the story for us from Moscow.

Steve, what's the latest?

STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Natalie, the very latest is the debate about a decision whether or not to try and raise that submarine to the surface, it's 300 feet below the surface, or whether to try and evacuate crew members.

Right now on the scene in the Barents Sea, off the northwest coast of Russia, there are at least 10 naval vessels, including an aircraft carrier, as that rescue operation goes into full gear. Rescue helicopters taking off and landing from that aircraft carrier. What is still not clear is what exactly happened to this nuclear- powered submarine.

Initial reports were about flooding after they fired some torpedoes during a routine military exercise. Now, according to the Russian head of the navy, there has been a collision and a most serious collision, but still no details on what the submarine collided with. The real debate now how to save the crew members on board.

At least 107, perhaps as many as 130 crew members, now well beneath the surface of the Barents Sea -- Natalie.

ALLEN: Steve, I talked with an expert on military weaponry earlier, Paul Beaver, with "Jane's Defence Weekly." He has been advising the Russians. And here's what he had to say about a possible rescue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL BEAVER, "JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY": ... of daylight. They will still be working through the night, I think. The Russians are being rather pessimistic at the moment. Their official spokesman is almost giving up hope. I hope that that isn't the official navy position. These people can be rescued from this submarine, even if it means an international effort to do so. Both Britain and the United States will be capable of helping the Russians, I certainly hope that the Russians invite them to help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: And so after hearing that Steve, are you hearing any signs that the Russians might give up hope on a rescue?

HARRIGAN: Well, certainly, a very pessimistic prognosis from the head of the Russian navy. His words were, the chances do not look good at all. No words from the Russians on asking for international help. Of course, the real situation depends on how badly that submarine is damaged, how badly that nuclear reactor is damaged. Keep in mind there are no nuclear weapons on board, but there is a nuclear reactor on board, so this could not only prove a military challenge but also causing ecological problems as well -- Natalie.

ALLEN: Steve Harrigan, in Moscow, we will continue close contact with you as we follow this story closely, thanks.

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