Divers cut second hole in Kursk's hull

MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) -- Divers have breached the outer hull of the wrecked Kursk nuclear submarine in a second place as they search for victims of Russia's worst post-Soviet naval accident.

Norwegian and Russian divers have already entered the vessel's rear compartments and retrieved 12 bodies, including that of a sailor who scribbled a note as the lights failed and he and his crewmates realised they were trapped.

Northern Fleet spokesman Igor Babenko said the divers were making progress in an attempt to cut a hole into the section housing the sub's command and control hub, where another 20 bodies could be found.

"The divers are working on cutting a hole into the third section," he said. "They have got past the soft outer hull and are working in the cavity between it and the pressure hull."

Another navy spokesman, Vladimir Navrotsky, said in televised comments that parts of the Kursk's conning tower had been taken to the surface to be inspected by experts on board a Norwegian platform that is coordinating diving teams.

The Kursk sank to the bottom of the Barents Sea in August after an unexplained accident caused by two explosions ripping through its bow. None of the 118 crew survived.

The accident caused an outcry in Russia and abroad that was heightened by the note found in the pocket of turbine room commander Lieutenant-Captain Dmitry Kolesnikov, which disproved official statements that the crew had died instantly.

The navy has said the message, which has only been quoted by officials and not published, contained mostly personal information and would be passed on to Kolesnikov's relatives.

Relatives have not seen note

But the business daily Kommersant quoted his mother in its Wednesday edition as saying neither she nor his widow had yet received it.

"We've been to all the authorities, but no one has showed either me or his wife the note. Different officials have given us different reasons," Irina Kolesnikova told the paper.

"The navy commander Vladimir Kuroyedov promised to give it to Dmitry's wife, but he hasn't...They've promised to show it to her after some other further stage of the investigation."

Reuters contributed to this report.

Kursk salvage raises questions
October 30, 2000
Divers recover Kursk bodies
October 30, 2000
Divers hope to re-enter Kursk after storms abate
October 28, 2000
Kursk letter tells of underwater terror
October 27, 2000
Kursk victims 'may not be recovered'
October 27, 2000
Note reveals Kursk crew's final hours
October 26, 2000

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