EXPLOSION DAMAGES BUILDINGS NEAR CONSULATE

UNCLAS KOLKATA 000016 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR OPS CENTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER IN SUBJECT: EXPLOSION DAMAGES BUILDINGS NEAR CONSULATE ¶1. (SBU) On January 16, at about 0950 hours, an explosion occurred on Kolkata's Shakespeare Sarani street, approximately one block or 200 meters from the U.S. Consulate. The explosion was in front of the Hindustan Unilever House; reportedly injuring five pedestrians, destroying signs and shattering windows of nearby buildings. The blast was also heard and windows vibrated at the U.S. Consulate, but the Consulate facilities were not damaged. No/No Consulate staff or AmCits were injured. The cause of the explosion is unknown but it does not/not appear to be have been a threat directed at the Consulate or USG personnel. ¶2. (SBU) Police teams are investigating the cause but as of 1600 hours, no reason for the explosion has been identified. Post conducted an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting and took the following measures: contacted local police and media for information, contacted nearby hotels and confirmed that no AmCits were staying in those hotels. Police sources told Post that the injured are Indian nationals. ConGen informed the Ops Center and Embassy New Delhi on the explosion. ¶3. (SBU) Police initially conducted explosive tests and used sniffer dogs in the area. However recently, they have asked the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) to check for possible electrical short circuits and the gas company to dig for a possible natural gas pipe leak. JARDINE