Explosion sinks boat at Whittier; 2 people missing

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Monday, July 8th, 2019 12:02pm

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Photo credit to US Coast Guard.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An explosion rocked a fishing boat tied up in Whittier and two people on board are missing.

The Anchorage Daily News reported the Coast Guard is searching for the missing people with a Jayhawk helicopter.

The Coast Guard said a propane tank at around midnight Sunday exploded on a 99-foot (30-meter) fishing vessel at the Delong Dock, which is operated by the Alaska Railroad.

Petty Officer Amanda Norcross said says a railroad security officer called in the report.

The boat had a 5,500-gallon (20,820-liter) fuel capacity and it sank at the dock.

Norcross said a Coast Guard cutter has established a 1,000-yard (914-meter) safety zone around the sunken boat.

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