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Blaze aboard nuclear-powered icebreaker put out, two die

The radiation situation in the area of the icebreaker's location is normal

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

KRASNOYARSK, December 15 (Itar-Tass) — A fire that broke out aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker Vaigach in the mouth of Yenissei River on Thursday morning has been put out. The reactor has not been damaged and there is no threat to the environment. The radiation situation in the area of the icebreaker's location is normal, an official at the Russian Emergencies Ministry department for the Krasnoyarsk Territory (DKT) has told Itar-Tass.

Earlier, Alexander Yakimov, head of the DKT press service, said a message about the fire had reached DKT at 06:19, local time. Three cabins had been on fire.

Two people died and one was injured as a result of the fire. The ship lies up in the area of Karaul Settlement in the Territory's north.

Efforts are being made to establish what caused the fire.

The nuclear-powered icebreaker Vaigach is designed to pilot ships in the mouths of Siberian rivers. The icebreaker was built in Finland in 1990.

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