 NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 |
| April 18, 2005 Release Number: 05-04-11 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FAULTY FUEL TANK LIKELY CAUSE OF KANDAHR EXPLOSION BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - A faulty fuel tank is believed to be the cause of an explosion that injured three drivers and destroyed five tanker trunks near Kandahar on Sunday, experts at the scene said today. "No evidence of any kind has been found that indicates the incident was the result of an attack or an improvised explosive device," said Maj. Michael Hicks, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-76's Explosive Ordnance Control Team. "There are no components or items that we would associate with such things." "We believe it was a mechanical failure on the part of the fuel truck that caused the explosion," Hicks said. "Transporting fuel is a risky business; there are stringent procedures you have to follow when handling fuel." The explosion, which occurred 1.5 kilometers from Kandahar Airfield at a truck stop, has been reported as a Taliban attack. No Coalition forces were injured or killed as a result of the explosion. An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. -30- |
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