WORLD : Tanker Explodes in Persian Gulf
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MANAMA, Bahrain — A U.S.-flag Kuwaiti tanker loaded with naphtha and diesel fuel exploded today in the Persian Gulf, and two American crewmen were believed killed.
The 23 other seamen, all Americans but one, abandoned the burning ship and were rescued by a U.S. Navy frigate. U.S. sources said remains had been found in the water, but it was not clear whether they were of one or two people.
Capt. Ron Wildermuth, chief spokesman for U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Fla., said there were no reports of mines from the Iran-Iraq war in the area and “initial reports indicate the explosion was internal.”
The 81,283-ton Surf City exploded 20 miles off the United Arab Emirates, according to U.S. officials and shipping sources in the gulf.
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