Oil Tanker Explodes off Yemen (French Say It's Terrorism)

BBC News ^ | October 6, 2002

[Timesink]

Sunday, 6 October, 2002, 09:36 GMT 10:36 UK

Oil tanker explodes off Yemen

A French-owned oil tanker is on fire off the coast of Yemen after an explosion on board.

Yemeni officials say they do not consider the blast an act of sabotage, but a diplomat at the French embassy told the AFP news agency it was believed to be a terrorist attack.

"The oil tanker was rammed by a small boat stuffed with explosives," the French Vice-Consul, Marcel Goncalves, said.

The tanker burst into flame as it headed towards the port of al Dabah on the eastern coast of the country.

Firefighters are said to have already rescued 11 of the 25 crew members.

USS Cole

"It seems to be an attack in the same style as the USS Cole," said the diplomat, referring to the attack on the American warship in which 17 US servicemen were killed.

But Yemeni officials are adamant the incident is nothing like that attack, blamed on al-Qaeda, two years ago in the port of Aden.

The BBC's Heba Salah says the Yemeni Government has been keen to shed its country's image as a safe haven for al-Qaeda militants.

So far, the authorities have arrested more than 100 suspected members of the group and of other Islamic organisations.

Rescue operations

The tanker was coming into the port to load up with crude oil when the blaze started.

The ship is said to have headed out to sea as firefighters tackled the flames.

Rescue operations are continuing.

[PureSolace]

here we go again.... Isn't there a new moon tonight? Where are the dropping bombs?

[Texas_Jarhead]

have the French surrendered yet?

[sourcery]

But Yemeni officials are adamant the incident is nothing like that attack, blamed on al-Qaeda, two years ago in the port of Aden.

"Liar, liar! Tanker's on fire!"

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I feel so much moral relativism over this. I wonder if the tanker was filled with illegal Iraqi oil? France should show us how well the UN resolves this. Don't make a move, Frogs, without first going to Kofi Annan and his totalitarian friends. Show the US how to lead. Here's your big chance.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Uups. A UK oil tanker. My apologies to the Brits.

[MeekOneGOP]

"It seems to be an attack in the same style as the USS Cole," said the diplomat, referring to the attack on the American warship in which 17 US servicemen were killed.

But Yemeni officials are adamant the incident is nothing like that attack, blamed on al-Qaeda, two years ago in the port of Aden.

What the heck are they in such a hurry to deny this is like the Cole? They know who did it already, and aren't saying? Idiots. It is exactly the same tactic.....a small boat approaching a HUGE boat and an explosion occurs.

[Texas_Jarhead]

what? UK? where'd you get that? it states,

"A French-owned oil tanker is on fire"

[chance33_98]

Call the liberals!! They will now endorse whole sale slaughter of all those responsible for killing innocent fish and other wildlife from the oil leakage. Kill Americans, gas children, that's ok - but harming the environment? If this is linked to Saddam the libs will be screaming at Bush for not taking him out sooner and letting him hurt the majestic and rare seaweed of the region. < /a little wee bit of sarcasm>

[Texas_Jarhead]

oh I see. On the article summary page the text runs together ann says "UK Oil tanker" without the line break... lol

[eastforker]

Why would the terrorist attack a french ship?Don't they know the french are on their side?LOL

[freebilly]

A French-owned oil tanker is on fire off the coast of Yemen after an explosion on board.

Yemeni officials say they do not consider the blast an act of sabotage, but a diplomat at the French embassy told the AFP news agency it was believed to be a terrorist attack.

The Chirac government has sent a notice of surrender to al-Qaeda and has granted all terrorists permission to sodomize any French male over the age of 18....

[dyed_in_the_wool]

Didn't the French lose a war to Greenpeace?

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

I wonder if the tanker was filled with illegal Iraqi oil?

"The tanker was coming into the port to load up with crude oil when the blaze started."

[freebilly]

the libs will be screaming at Bush for not taking him out sooner and letting him hurt the majestic and rare seaweed of the region.

Maybe we can send the SF environmentalists there to learn about eelgrass....

eelgrass study costs $1.2 million

[chance33_98]

The Chirac government has sent a notice of surrender to al-Qaeda and has granted all terrorists permission to sodomize any French male over the age of 18....

They will probably decline in favor of the goats.

[Vigilanteman]

If this is linked to Saddam the libs will be screaming at Bush for not taking him out sooner and letting him hurt the majestic and rare seaweed of the region.

Won:t happen for one reason: It would put them on the same side as the rest of us. Watch for them to spin that it was a CIA or Mossad Operation to scare the French into supporting us.

[chance33_98]

Watch for them to spin that it was a CIA or Mossad Operation to scare the French into supporting us.

You mean it's not?

[js1138]

Didn't the French lose a war to Greenpeace?

I think they won the war, sinking the mighty Rainbow Warrior, but lost the lawsuit.

[leadpenny]

Excellent reasoning. I'm watching C-SPAN, as usual, and not staying up with this story. What's the latest; terrorism or mechanical?