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Ten missing after S Lanka sinking Ten missing after S Lanka sinking
(about 2 hours later)
Ten crew from a Sri Lankan patrol boat are missing after their vessel exploded and sank off the island's north-east coast early on Saturday.Ten crew from a Sri Lankan patrol boat are missing after their vessel exploded and sank off the island's north-east coast early on Saturday.
The Sri Lankan navy said the boat, carrying 16 crew in all, was thought to have struck a sea mine planted by Tamil Tiger guerrillas.The Sri Lankan navy said the boat, carrying 16 crew in all, was thought to have struck a sea mine planted by Tamil Tiger guerrillas.
But the rebels said the vessel was attacked and destroyed by one of their suicide squads. But the rebels said the vessel had been attacked and destroyed by one of their suicide squads.
This is the second naval vessel sunk since a ceasefire ended in January.This is the second naval vessel sunk since a ceasefire ended in January.
Another patrol boat rescued six of the crew, an officer and five crew, after the sinking, which took place near Nayaru, 300km (185 miles) north of the capital, Colombo. Rescued
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Colombo says two navy fast attack craft, about 25 metres (82ft) long and armed with heavy and light machine guns, were on a routine patrol when one was caught up in an explosion and sank.
The incident took place near Nayaru, 300km (185 miles) north of Colombo.
Five crewmen and an officer were rescued.
A spokesman for the Sri Lankan navy, Lt Commander Rohan Joseph, denied reports on a pro-rebel news website that the patrol had been attacked by the Black Sea Tigers suicide squad.
Five seamen were lost in the earlier incident in February.Five seamen were lost in the earlier incident in February.
In January the government pulled out of a formal commitment to a 2002 ceasefire with the Tamil Tigers, arguing the rebels had used it to re-group and re-arm.In January the government pulled out of a formal commitment to a 2002 ceasefire with the Tamil Tigers, arguing the rebels had used it to re-group and re-arm.
Since then, fighting has intensified on the frontlines that surround Tiger-held territory in the north.Since then, fighting has intensified on the frontlines that surround Tiger-held territory in the north.
The Tigers have been fighting for an independent state in the north and east since 1983. More than 70,000 people have been killed since then.The Tigers have been fighting for an independent state in the north and east since 1983. More than 70,000 people have been killed since then.
They say that ethnic minority Tamils have been marginalised for decades by governments dominated by the Sinhalese majority.They say that ethnic minority Tamils have been marginalised for decades by governments dominated by the Sinhalese majority.