British sailors killed aboard Royal Navy submarine

March 21, 2007

London - Two Royal Navy sailors were killed in an accident aboard HMS Tireless, a nuclear submarine early Wednesday, Britain's Ministry of Defense said.

"Their next of kin have been informed and our sympathies are with them and their friends at this difficult time," the military said in a written statement.

Another submariner, who was injured, was flown to a U.S. military hospital, the statement said. "His injuries are not life-threatening and he is expected to make a full recovery," it said.

The accident aboard the Trafalgar Class submarine occurred while it was on exercise in the Arctic. It appears to have involved a piece of air-purification equipment in the forward section of the submarine, the statement said.

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