Deadly Blasts at Afghan Oil and Gas Depot

[bemildred]

Source: NYT

KABUL, Afghanistan — Powerful explosions of oil and gas tankers at a depot on the northeastern outskirts of Kabul devastated stores and homes on Wednesday and left at least three people dead and more than 80 injured, according to police and hospital officials.

The police said they had not identified the exact cause of the explosions, including whether it was accidental or related to terrorist activity.

The blasts hit midafternoon at the depot of the Haidarzada Gas and Oil Company and sent black clouds and flames billowing over the district, a mixture of residential areas and small business parks.

Ambulances and fire rescue workers crowded the streets, helping the injured from buildings past broken glass, rubble and the charred remains of cars and tankers. “When we heard the bang and saw the flames I started running and didn’t know where to go,” said Ahmad Shah, a driver for a neighboring oil and gas company, who was lying in the back of an ambulance. “I don’t know how many are caught in there.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/05/world/asia/afghan-soldier-opens-fire-on-coalition-soldiers-nato-says.html

[maddezmom]

1. yikes

ETA: I forgot my link
and then there is this:

In Afghanistan, another turncoat shooting wounds five Americans
KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan soldier opened fire on a group of American troops, wounding five of them, Western and Afghan military officials said Wednesday.

The attack, which took place Tuesday in Wardak province in eastern Afghanistan, was the second incident of its kind in three days. On Sunday, an Afghan policeman shot and killed three British soldiers.

The phenomenon of “green-on-blue” shootings, in which members of the Afghan security forces turn their weapons on Western troops, has become a serious concern in recent months. At least 26 NATO troops have been killed this year in such attacks.

Afghan officials said the shooter, a new recruit to the army, fled after the shooting, and authorities launched a search. NATO’s International Security Assistance Force said the incident was under investigation.


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/07/another-turncoat-shooting-wounds-five-americans.html

[proud patriot]

2. better go fill up now