SEVEROMORSK. Oct 25 (Interfax-AVN) - Water and air samples taken through a hole cut in the sixth compartment of the nuclear submarine Kursk at 3.00 Moscow time on Thursday (2300 GMT on Wednesday) showed that the radiation level inside the compartment and in the submarine is on the whole normal, spokesman for the Russian Northern Fleet Vladimir Navrotsky has told Interfax.
He said the hole with a diameter of two centimeters, cut into the sixth compartment, is sufficient for the moment, and there is no need to cut more holes. If the need arises to lower excessive pressure, an additional hole will be cut into the 5-BIS compartment, Navrotsky said.
Later on Thursday investigators will have an opportunity to enter the submarine, Navrotsky said.