Such an explanation would perhaps be easier to believe, were it not for the fact that the Kursk is the largest submarine in the world, and, unlike any Western submarine, has a twin-hull, the inner skin of which alone is 40cm thick.

BBC: Aftermath of the Kursk tragedy

But they also warned inner city areas of London, Nottingham, Hull and Manchester, which commonly had young populations with unhealthy habits and high levels of single-parent families, were likely to face serious problems in the future.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Health warning for inner cities