The Kursk was equipped to carry 24 nuclear-tipped missiles. Russian military officials said there were none on board at the time of the accident, but some Western observers have nevertheless voiced concern since similar denials from Moscow in the past have subsequently proved not to be true. Fears have also been expressed that the submarine, and others like it wrecked or abandoned on the ocean floor, could pose a long-term threat because of the possibility of leaks of radioactive material. Suspicion about the location of the blast which ripped through the submarine has focused on the torpedo bay, which would have been carrying up to 30 warheads.

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