The Yemeni authorities say the explosion was not deliberate. Witnesses described it as being so powerful that buildings near the port shook. But it says a small boat helping to moor the warship to a buoy positioned itself near the vessel. But according to the US Navy, eyewitnesses saw two men on the smaller vessel stand up to attention just before it exploded. The blast left a 20-40 foot gash in the port side of the destroyer, which is now listing badly.
Yemeni officials say the explosion took place inside the vessel.
The Americans say otherwise. We know it occurred externally. The USS Cole is an Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer with a crew of 350. It is armed with standard missiles and torpedoes. The vessel was heading to the Gulf to join the US-led maritime interception operations in support of UN sanctions against Iraq.