A Chernobyl at the bottom of the sea? Detect radioactivity 800,000 times above normal in submerged Soviet submarine

The Norwegian authorities have reported that the Soviet nuclear submarine Komsomolets, which accidentally sank in 1989 off the coast of the country, was still emitting powerful radiation.

The joint report of a team of Norwegians and Russians indicated that emissions sometimes 800,000 times higher than normal, according to several agencies.

In this regard, the Norwegian Nuclear Safety and Radiation Authority confirmed in a statement that "the researchers have documented the emissions" of the submarine and stated that some of the samples taken "reveal that the level of radioactive cesium it is much higher than the levels normally found in the Norwegian Sea. "

However, despite extraordinary levels of radiation that sometimes the authorities have ensured that the situation "does not involve any risk".

"What we found in this expedition will not have no impact for the fish and seafood from Norway. Levels of radioactivity in the Norwegian Sea are very low and emissions of "Komsomolets" are rapidly diluted because the submarine is at 1,700 meters depth"they explained.

Hilde Elise Heldal, of the Norwegian Institute for Marine Research, acknowledged that it was "at a higher level than is usually found in the sea", but agreed that levels are not alarming.

"The levels of radioactivity they are quickly reduced to these depths and there are few fish in the area, "said the statement specialist at the Reuters news agency.

The Komsomolets sank on April 7, 1989, after a relaxation fire on board. The accident caused the death of 42 crew members.