Russia’s Only Aircraft Carrier Has Erupted In Flames

According to TASS News and social media footage, a fire has erupted onboard Russia’s only aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, at a naval dock in Murmansk, northwest Russia. The aircraft carrier was undergoing repairs and maintenance when fuel tanks caught fire.

RT News reports a “blaze was sparked by welding in the first power section on the ship’s deck, after which the fire spread to a space of 600 square meters.”

Footage of the fire onboard aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznestov shows black smoke rising above the decks of the ship.According 🇷🇺# Russian state news agencies,one worker remains unaccounted for.The same wires suggest the fire is spreading and now covers 600 sq metres of the ship. pic.twitter.com/H840i8uwhI

— Capt(N) (@Capt_Navy) December 12, 2019

Russian aircraft carrier “Admiral Kuznetsov” caught fire during repair works at Zvezdochka plant. 8 workers rescued, 1 unaccounted. Fire at least at 120m2 in engine room https://t.co/EhBCrUKBg8 #Russia pic.twitter.com/011TFOQSrk

— Liveuamap (@Liveuamap) December 12, 2019

The Emergencies Ministry told TASS that “three people have been injured. All of them are receiving medical assistance,” adding that, “Eight people have been rescued by the emergencies services and firefighters, and one person has gone missing.” 

3 wounded in fire at Admiral Kuznetsov. Firefighters say that fire in wires system of the vessel, and they cannot get to it. Governor of Murmansk region is heading to the site https://t.co/qUQi5yxO83 #Russia pic.twitter.com/KU5WNbs9dM

— Liveuamap (@Liveuamap) December 12, 2019

Fire at “Admiral Kuznetsov” continues to burn. Now decision taken to flood it with water. First reports suggest that fire started during welding works at energy compartment https://t.co/aex4as5zzi #Russia pic.twitter.com/mphumclbDR

— Liveuamap (@Liveuamap) December 12, 2019

Aleksey Rakhmanov, head of the state-run United Shipbuilding Corporation, told Interfax that the fire was possibly sparked by “a human factor.” 

Russia’s only aircraft carrier had been undergoing repairs and maintenance since the second half of 2017, after performing combat missions in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, providing air support for the Bashar al-Assad government of Syria in the country’s near-decade civil war.