Marine

20.9, explosion, fatalities

Netherlands Antilles: at least five people died and nine were injured as a result of an explosion on diving support vessel, Seamec II under repair in the port of Curacao. Firefighters sought to put out the blaze that sent flames shooting into the air from the vessel, which was not carrying any cargo at the time of the explosion. The five people killed were working on land by the vessel, whose hull was being repaired, and it was feared there were more casualties among people on board the vessel. Shipping officials said the vessel had earlier been transporting oil products, such as gasoline.