Scientists have discovered a large radiation leak coming from the wreck of a Russian nuclear submarine which sank in the 1980s.

The Komsomolets submarine sank off Norway's Bear Island in 1989 after a fire onboard - killing 43 out of the 69-strong crew.

Scientists from Norway's Institute of Marine Research said they discovered radiation levels 800,000 times the normal rate near the wreckage which is currently at a depth of 5,577 feet. 

'The levels we detected were clearly above what is normal in the oceans, but they weren't alarmingly high.'

'What we have found during our survey has very little impact on Norwegian fish and seafood. In general, caesium levels in the Norwegian Sea are very low, and as the wreck is so deep, the pollution from Komsomolets is quickly diluted,' Heldal said. (Daily Mail)