áôSIGNIFICANT EVIDENCEö OF TERRORISM IN LIMBURG INCIDENT
An investigation into the explosion of a French tanker in Yemen’s Gulf of Aden has led authorities to believe it was an act of terrorism.
“There is significant evidence to suggest that an explosion that originated externally damaged the 'Limburg,' ” said Richard Boucher, State Department spokesman, at a press briefing Friday.
The Oct. 6 blast ripped a hull three meters wide in the hull of the tanker “Limburg,” killing one crew member and spilling 90,000 barrels of oil into the Gulf of Aden.
Authorities have found traces of TNT near the explosion site, in addition to receiving information that a small fishing boat approached the tanker prior to the blast.
Boucher said that the United States has an ambassador conferring with French and Yemeni officials in the investigation.