Tanker Explodes in Gulf; 1 Killed, 2 Missing
GALVESTON, Tex. — A 600-foot tanker carrying 35 crew members exploded twice Saturday night near the mouth of the Houston Ship Channel, killing at least one person, authorities said.
Two workers were missing and 27 others were taken to the hospital, the Coast Guard reported.
The crew members were taken ashore after the explosion on the OMI Charger, which was docked about a mile from shore. The explosion was felt four miles away.
About an hour later, a second explosion rocked the area, authorities said.
Enrico Fenzi, vice president of New Jersey-based ship owner OMI, said the two missing men had been doing repairs on the ship.
The cause of the explosions was not immediately known.
Of the crew members taken to the hospital, at least one was in serious condition with second-degree facial burns at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a spokeswoman said.
Authorities said the tanker had no cargo, but it was carrying about 275,000 gallons of fuel.
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