Soviet Nuclear Submarine Reported Afire Off Norway : Casualties Believed on Board

WASHINGTON —  A nuclear-powered Soviet submarine suffered some type of accident underwater and appears to be on fire in the Norwegian Sea, Administration officials said today. Casualties were believed to have occurred, the officials said.

The officials, who insisted on anonymity, said the accident appeared to involve a Soviet “Mike” submarine--one of the Russian Navy’s newer attack subs.

The sources declined to say when or how the United States first became aware of the submarine’s problems, but said it now appeared that Soviet ships and aircraft were being dispatched to the scene.

The sources said the submarine climbed to the surface in a portion of the Norwegian Sea north of Norway. But the officials declined to say how far off the coastline the submarine was.

The officials also said it remained unclear as to whether the crew was close to controlling the fires on board or whether the vessel was in any danger of sinking.

The Mike submarine is a nuclear-powered attack submarine designed to hunt and destroy other submarines in the event of war. According to the authoritative reference book “Jane’s Fighting Ships,” the Soviets have so far launched only one ship in the class.

That vessel was launched in May, 1983, and went into service in late 1984, according to Jane’s. The Pentagon reference book “Soviet Military Power” says the Mike vessel wasn’t declared operational until 1986.

According to Jane’s, the vessel is powered by two nuclera reactors and is believed to carry a crew of about 95.

The proper Russian name for the submarine was not immediately available. The name “Mike” is a U.S. and NATO nickname for the sub.

According to Jane’s, the Mike submarine’s reactors are described as “probably liquid metal cooled,” an approach that “allows for a saving in space as well as an increase in power.”

The sources said it was not clear whether the nuclear propulsion section of the submarine had been the source of the accident or involved in the fires.

“We don’t know what caused the problem, but we think it’s their only Mike and we know they’ve got some fires on board in the Norwegian Sea,” one source said.

“We also have reason to believe there have been some casualties.”