Bulk carrier explosion leaves at least two dead

The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating with the New York Air National Guard and the Canadian and Portuguese Coast Guards following an explosion and fire on an international bulk carrier 1,300 miles offshore Cape Cod, according to a statement from the USCG.    An explosion and subsequent fire on a bulk carrier in the North Atlantic yesterday has left at least twodead and three more badly burned, according to a statement from the U.S. Coast Guard.
   USCG said it is coordinating with the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing and the Canadian and Portuguese Coast Guards to provide emergency medical assistance to crew members of the Tamar.
   The Marshall Islands-flagged bulker reportedly caught fire following an explosion that took place at around 7 a.m. yesterday morning about 1,300 miles off Cape Cod while en route from the Port of Baltimore to Azores, Portugal.
   New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing pararescuers arrived on board at about 9:30 p.m., and are staying with the ship until a higher medical authority can take over in caring for the injured crew, USCG said.
   The Portuguese Coast Guard is scheduled to launch a helicopter and pick up the injured crew members and bring them to Ponta Delgada, Portugal within 24 hours.
   According to USCG, the cause of the explosion is still unknown, but the resulting fire has been extinguished and the vessel’s engines were unaffected by the incident.