SIX KILLED ON TANKER

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28794, 15 January 1959, Page 7

SIX KILLED ON TANKER

Explosion In Harbour

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) ISKENDERON (South Turkey), January 13. Six persons were killed and 18 were missing after the 20,762-ton tanker Mirador blew up in harbour today. The official report said there were six members of the crew on the Mirador and 36 on the salvage boat Imroz when the explosion occurred. Only one was saved from the Mirador and 19 from the Imroz.

The representatives of Lloyd’s and the Mirador’s owners were among the casualties.

The reason for the explosion is unknown. The Imroz was to tow the Mirador to Naples. The Mirador, which flew the Panamanian flag, caught fire 15 days ago and burned for 56 hours before an American destroyer extinguished the blaze, which cost the lives of four of the tanker’s crew. Oil Burns On Water After today’s explosion other ships were forced to leave the harbour because of burning oil on the water. British United Press said the explosion covered an area of more than half a square mile with flaming oil. The agency said 22 men were missing and feared to be dead.

American Associated Press said the Mirador broke in two and sank after the huge explosion. The vessel went down less than two hours after the violent blast, which sent a column of flame 2500 ft into the sky. The Imroz, an Admiralty vessel on loan to a Turkish company, was pumping water out of the tanker’s flooded tanks when the blast came.

A Mr Black, of Lloyd’s, who was aboard the tanker, was among the missing.