Latest pictures of Kursk wreckage

(21 Sep 2001)

Sept 21, 2001
1. Wide of news conference at new press centre
2. Media at news conference
3. Various of news conference

Sept 16, 2001
4. Underwater shots of Kursk, showing holes being prepared for salvage operation
5. Various underwater shots of Kursk hull

STORYLINE:

New pictures of the crippled Russian submarine Kursk have been released at the opening of the salvage operation's media centre in Murmansk.

An international team of divers is preparing the Kursk to be lifted from the bottom of the Barents Sea.

They are continuing to clear debris from around holes cut in the submarine's double hull.

Metal supports will be fitted in the holes to attach cables that will be used to lift the vessel.

A Giant-4 barge will then raise a section of the hull to the surface.

The chief of the operation, Igor Spassky, said within the next few days, the clearing would be completed and the barge placed above the submarine.

Officials say the actual lifting will take place next Thursday, two days later than scheduled.

Bad weather has caused delays in the salvage effort.

Plans have been made for evacuation of the Murmansk area should the submarine's nuclear reactors leak as the Kursk is lifted to the surface.

The front of the submarine, containing its torpedo tubes, has already been cut free and won't be raised at this stage.

The Kursk sank last August, killing all 118 men on board.

More than 1-thousand-150 journalists and technical staff from around the world have been accredited to cover the salvage operation from the new media centre.

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