ICRC ship blasted by mine

ICRC ship blasted by mine

COLOMBO (AFP): A cargo and passenger ship chartered by the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was blasted in
northern Sri Lanka leaving one Indonesian crew-member missing,
official sources said.

The ship, the Sea Dancer, was entering the government-held
port of Kankesanthurai when it hit a sea mine planted by the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the sources said.

The ICRC chartered Sea Dancer operated by an Indonesian crew
was entering the port for security clearance when it was hit by
the mine, the source said adding that the navy immediately
launched a rescue operation.

"They have not been able to account for one crew member. At
least two others are wounded. There were two foreigners who have
now been evacuated the Palaly airbase," the source said.