Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KOLKATA16
2008-01-16 11:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
EXPLOSION DAMAGES BUILDINGS NEAR CONSULATE
how-toVZCZCXRO3559 OO RUEHBI RUEHCI DE RUEHCI #0016 0161132 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 161132Z JAN 08 FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1828 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 1727 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI IMMEDIATE 0788 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI IMMEDIATE 0793 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0523 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0520 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0377 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0422 RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 2237
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
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
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