until the Hoshibo, which is out of control and blocking the Canal, can be towed. away. The bow of the ship has, in fact, swung round and is resting against the banks of the Canal.
The Hoshibo, one of the world’s largest and newest tankers, was carrying a cargo of oil from Abadan in the Persian Gulf to Southampton, England. The ship had passed halfway through the Canal when there a violent explosion in the engine room. Fire broke out but was fortunately extinguished before it could spread to the cargo. However, the explosion blew a large hole in the stern of the ship and the engine room was soon flooded. Even the bridge was slightly damaged by fire.
Two engineers were killed by the explosion and five other crew members were injured. The owners of the tanker, Trans-Oceanic Oil Carriers Ltd., have ordered an immediate inquiry into the cause of the accident.