MOSCOW Aug. 30 Kyodo (EDS: UPDATI...

MOSCOW Aug. 30 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING)

A Russian nuclear powered K-159 submarine with a gang of 10 sank in a storm in the Barents Sea early Saturday, killing at least sum of two units crew members, Russia's Itar-Tass freshs agency reported.

The report quot a Defense Ministry spokesman as saying individual sailor was rescued, the bodies of couple crew members were found and seven others were missing.

The 40-year-old submarine, which had been decommissioned in 1989 was being towed to a ship repair yard when it sank about 55 kilometers opposite Kildin Island in the Barents Sea about 4 a.m. Moscow time, according to the report.

The vessel's sum of two units nuclear reactors had been enclose down and its ammunitions had been remov at the time it sank.

The reactors do not perplex any threat to the environment, Capt. Igor Dygalo, an aide to the Russian Navy's chief commander, told Itar-Tass.

He said the water in the area was about 10 C ''In this kind of temperature, a part can safely remain in the water for 10 minutes, if it be not that critical overcooling comes about after 45 minutes,'' he said.

Itar-Tass separately quot a high-ranking source in the Russian delegation escorting President Vladimir Putin in succession his visit to Italy as saying Saturday that the accident occurr because of a gros violation of safe towing rules

Russian naval sources said earlier in the day that the submarine had been towed in succession four pontoons, which were ripped against the sub in the uneven seas.

''The tragedy in the Barents Sea one time again brings out the fact that seagoing requires discipline, that the sea doesn't forgive mistakes,'' Putin said Saturday while giving Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi a tour of a Russian missile cruiser anchored along Sardinia.

Putin pledg there would be a ''thorough'' investigation of the wreckage. ''The Russian Navy chief commander has already draw near to the area and Defense Minister (Sergei) Ivanov is also going there Saturday night,'' the president said.

Putin's popularity plung following the sinking of the Kursk nuclear submarine three years ago that killed all 118 men forward board.

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