ADEN - A US Navy destroyer in port in Aden, Yemen, was rammed late last night by an explosives-laden rubber raft on what US officials said was a suicide mission.
At least five Americans were killed and at least 30 other were injured in the resulting explosion, the Defence Department said.
The USS Cole, an Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, was refuelling at the time, said Lieutenant-Commander Daren Pelkie, spokesman for the Navy's Fifth Fleet HQ in Bahrain.
"An eyewitness saw a boat run into the side of the ship causing the explosion," he said, adding that five of the sailors injured were in a serious condition.
He said the explosion also caused a 6m by 12m gash in the port side of the ship along the waterline and that the vessel was listing 40 degrees.
"Flooding has been controlled and there are no reports of fire," Pelkie said.
No one had claimed responsibility for the attack.
- REUTERS
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