Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an inquiry into a submarine accident in a meeting with his defense minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday.

Fourteen sailors died in a fire that broke out on a Russian research submarine on Monday, Russia's defense ministry said.

Fourteen sailors died in a fire that broke out on a Russian research submarine on Monday, Russia's defense ministry said.

"On July 1, a fire broke out during biometric measurements on a scientific research deep-sea submersible," the ministry said in a statement published on Tuesday. The incident occurred in Russian territorial waters and sailors died of inhaling toxic substances from the fumes, according to the ministry.

The vessel was currently at a military base in the northern city of Severomorsk, and the fire has been put out.

An investigation is underway. 

(with input from Reuters)