Oil tanker explosion may possibly have been terrorist attack

The explosion of an oil tanker in Yemen last Sunday may possibly have been a terrorist attack, experts implied today.

Investigators have found traces of explosives on the ship as well as shards of what may well be a fibreglass boat. The authorities have refused to discount the suggestion that a fibreglass boat, laden with explosives, may have struck the side of the tanker, causing the damage.

This theory appears to tally with the ship crew's comments that they saw an explosive-laden fibreglass boat approaching the tanker moments before a huge explosion tore through the two steel bulkheads. It may also explain the huge hole in the side of the tanker at the point where the fibreglass boat was last seen.

"Mounting indications show that the hypothesis of a terrorist attack is very plausible," said French president Mr Chirac's spokeswoman Catherine Colonna. Yemeni officials, despite previously discarding a terrorist theory, also conceded that: "It might have been an arranged and deliberate act."

The terrorist angle has also been lent some credence by a statement from the militant Yemeni Islamic group Aden-Abyan Islamic Army, which appear to claimed it was responsible for the explosion. "We were responsible for the attack on the oil tanker Limburg," it stated ambiguously.

Many remain sceptical of the theory however, arguing that it may have been the result of an angry swordfish or haddock. Reports that the one crew member missing, feared dead, was in the habit of nipping "downstairs" for a crafty fag (smoking is banned on all oil tankers) have also been held up as a possible alternative explanation.

But despite the French and Yemeni authorities apparent movement toward a terrorist explanation, one country remains bitterly dismissive.

"It was either Al-Qaeda or it didn't happen," said US General Brett Mack Danger. "I've never heard of this Aden-Abyan. It's just possible they have links to Al-Qaeda or Saddam Hussein but until that is unproven, we have no choice but to ignore the incident."