Mumbai: It was the “lucky day” for three sailors operating on the surface of the INS Sindhurakshak, as they managed to save their lives by jumping into the sea waters immediately after the first blast.

The three officials are, Vashist Prasad Yadav, who is working as Petty Officer Mechanical Engineer, Kushwaha, who is working as the Leading Seaman and Mechanical Engineer Gosain.

Yadav was on duty on the surface of the submarine. He was waiting for another sailor to relieve him of his duty when he heard the first blast. Yadav, who was at the tail-end of the submarine, immediately jumped into the water. Minutes after he dove in, the second explosion took place, engulfing the submarine in flames. Yadav swam as far as he could from the submarine to save himself.

Officer Kushwaha, a leading seaman, also called the quartermaster, was at the front of the submarine at the time of the incident. Kushwaha, who was on duty, was keeping an eye on the surroundings, when he suddenly heard the blast. Panicked, he jumped into the sea and swam away from the submarine. Later, rescue officials provided him with medical aid and took him to the hospital. With his family by his side, Kushwaha is recuperating after doctors found water in his lungs.

Gosain was on duty on the surface of the submarine near the gangway. The tremors of the first explosion were felt across the entire length of the submarine. A terrified Gosain ran across the gangway to get to the jetty. However, it took him time to run across the 15-metre long gangway and just as he was about to get to safety, the second blast occurred causing Gosain to fly across the gangway and land on the jetty. The sailor, who suffered minor injuries to his back, hands and neck is now recuperating.