Three crew members are killed outright. A fourth cremember, an enlisted seaman, dies after successfully securing the nuclear reactor by hand, when he is trapped in the engine compartment. The submarine is intentially scuttled by the captain when attempts to tow it fail. The seaman is postumously awarded the Red Star for his bravery. The submarine returns to port under her own power.
Soviet ships tow it to Cuba for repairs.
Most or all of the crew are killed. The submarine is salvaged by the Soviet Navy in August, one of the few cases of a nuclear powered submarine being lost and later being salvaged. Damage is so severe that the reactor must be removed and replaced. The K-123 is lost to service for over 8 years. It also must be towed back to port.