Major explosion rocks New Orleans

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Major explosion rocks New Orleans

By Allen G. Breed, AP

Published: 02 September 2005

A massive explosion today rocked the New Orleans riverfront a few

miles south of the French Quarter.

 

The blast - at a chemical storage facility - jolted residents awake

at 4.35am local time (10.35am BST). A series of smaller explosions

followed. Flames of red and orange shot into the pre-dawn sky.

 

A series of smaller blasts followed, and then acrid, black smoke

could be seen even in the dark. The smoke could be seen from miles

away and was still rising thickly hours later as day broke.

 

The explosions were close to the east bank of the Mississippi River,

near a residential area and rail tracks. At least two police boats

were at the scene.

 

Chaos has spread through this desperate city since Hurricane Katrina

struck, despite the promise of 1,400 National Guardsmen a day to stop

the looting, a $10.5 billion recovery bill in Congress and a relief

effort that President George Bush called the biggest in UShistory.

 

The hungry beg for help, bodies lie along flooded sidewalks, and

bands of armed thugs have thwarted fitful rescue efforts.

 

A massive explosion today rocked the New Orleans riverfront a few

miles south of the French Quarter.

 

The blast - at a chemical storage facility - jolted residents awake

at 4.35am local time (10.35am BST). A series of smaller explosions

followed. Flames of red and orange shot into the pre-dawn sky.

 

A series of smaller blasts followed, and then acrid, black smoke

could be seen even in the dark. The smoke could be seen from miles

away and was still rising thickly hours later as day broke.

 

The explosions were close to the east bank of the Mississippi River,

near a residential area and rail tracks. At least two police boats

were at the scene.