US warship explodes after impact with boat in Yemen

The US Navy is investigating the cause of an explosion on the Arleigh Burke-class USS Cole (DDG 67) which occurred this morning (EDT) when the ship was in Aden, Yemen to take on fuel, a US military news report said.

The report said "While the cause of the explosion is uncertain at this time, it appears to be the result of an impact by an unknown rubber boat which impacted on the port (left) side of the ship. The explosion, which occurred at 12:15 p.m. Bahrain time (4:15 a.m. EDT), and caused a 20-foot by 40-foot gash in the side of the ship. Damage control efforts are underway to manage flooding in the ship's engineering spaces."

Initial reports indicate that four sailors have been killed and as many as 30 have been injured, some severely. Navy officials are in the process of notifying family members of the officers and sailors aboard Cole, the Navy news reported.

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright cautioned today against the rampant speculation about this event. News reports say that this may have been an intentional attack. "It was an act of severe belligerence" Atlantic Fleet Naval forces commander Rear Admiral John Foley said.

Cole is an Arleigh Burke-class, or Aegis, guided missile destroyer, based in Norfolk, Va. The ship is part of the USS George Washington Battle Group, and was in transit from the Red Sea to a port visit in Bahrain when the ship stopped in Aden for routine refueling. Cole departed Norfolk for its deployment June 21st and is scheduled to return home December 21st.