Moscow, 7 November 2000 (RFE/RL) - A Norwegian offshore platform that served as a base for an operation to retrieve bodies from the sunken Russian submarine "Kursk" left the site of the disaster today. In a move signalling the end of the operation, the "Regalia" left today around noon. The company that operates the platform said it had completed its job without further elaborating. The contract that linked the company with the Russian authorities expired yesterday.
No official confirmation that salvage operations have been called off could be obtained. A government commission set up to investigate reasons for the accident is expected to meet in Moscow tomorrow.
All 118 sailors on board died when the "Kursk" sank in the Barents Sea in August following unexplained explosions. Divers have retrieved only 12 bodies.
No official confirmation that salvage operations have been called off could be obtained. A government commission set up to investigate reasons for the accident is expected to meet in Moscow tomorrow.
All 118 sailors on board died when the "Kursk" sank in the Barents Sea in August following unexplained explosions. Divers have retrieved only 12 bodies.