Coast Guard Coordinates Medical Response Following Explosion, 2 Dead

BOSTON — A second crew member has died after an explosion 1,300 miles off Cape Cod. The accident happened around Monday morning aboard the Tamar, a 623-foot bulk carrier flying the Marshall Islands flag. The captain around 7 a.m. contacted watchstanders at the Coast Guard command center. He reported an explosion in the ship’s forward storeroom. He also said one crew member is dead and three are injured. The three suffered "massive burns" and need immediate medical care.

At approximately 7:45 p.m., Monday, the captain of the Tamar reported another crew member was killed from the explosion.

The New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing pararescuers arrived on board the Tamar at about 9:30 p.m., after deploying from their HC-130 with two small boats and advanced life-saving equipment. They are staying with the ship until higher medical authority can take over care of the injured crew.
The Portuguese Coast Guard are scheduled to launch a helicopter and pick up the injured crew members and bring them to Ponta Delgada. They are expected to be within range of the Azores, Portugal within 24 hours.

The fire resulting from the explosion is extinguished and the cause is unknown.