TANKER EXPLOSION DID NOT CAUSE ECOLOGICAL CATASTROPHE

SPLIT, 8 Oct (Hina) - The explosion which occurred Wednesday morning on the tanker 'Tomislavgrad' in the Croatian port of Solin, did not cause an ecological catastrophe. According to a police report, the explosion happened at the prow at the time the tanker was approaching the dock of St Kaj, where it was to unload 1.5 tonnes of oil, and not during the unloading, as had been previously reported. Thanks to a speedy action by the local fire brigade, the fire did not reach the oil reservoir and the oil did not leak out. The first mate of the ship was killed in the explosion, while another crew member was injured. He was hospitalised in Split but his life is not in danger. The tanker is one of the three ships of 'Rijeka-nafta' company and transports oil from the Croatian oil company Ina. An investigation into the explosion in under way. (hina) jn rm 081612 MET oct 97