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US vessel 'shoots at Suez boat' US vessel 'shoots at Suez boat'
(about 2 hours later)
A US container ship approaching the Suez Canal has opened fire on a small Egyptian motorboat, killing one man and wounding two others, reports say.A US container ship approaching the Suez Canal has opened fire on a small Egyptian motorboat, killing one man and wounding two others, reports say.
The Global Patriot, carrying used US military equipment, was in the Gulf of Suez when it was approached by a motorboat selling local merchandise.The Global Patriot, carrying used US military equipment, was in the Gulf of Suez when it was approached by a motorboat selling local merchandise.
Its crew fired after the boat failed to stop when asked, Egyptian sources say. Its crew apparently fired after the boat failed to heed warnings to stop when asked, the US navy said.
It added that it was in contact with Egypt through the US embassy in Cairo.
As many as 100 other local vessels are said to have gathered at the scene, carrying hawkers demanding an inquiry.As many as 100 other local vessels are said to have gathered at the scene, carrying hawkers demanding an inquiry.
Some 7.5% of world sea trade passes through the Suez Canal, which is 190km long (118 miles) and 120m wide (395ft) at its narrowest point.Some 7.5% of world sea trade passes through the Suez Canal, which is 190km long (118 miles) and 120m wide (395ft) at its narrowest point.
Military charterMilitary charter
It was after sunset on Monday when a motorboat carrying three local Egyptian traders approached the Global Patriot in the Gulf of Suez as it prepared to sail towards the Mediterranean, according to Egyptian officials.It was after sunset on Monday when a motorboat carrying three local Egyptian traders approached the Global Patriot in the Gulf of Suez as it prepared to sail towards the Mediterranean, according to Egyptian officials.
The Global Patriot's crew are reported to have ordered the motorboat to stop and when it did not, they opened fire, killing Mohammed Fouad and wounding two others, the officials added.The Global Patriot's crew are reported to have ordered the motorboat to stop and when it did not, they opened fire, killing Mohammed Fouad and wounding two others, the officials added.
A US naval spokeswoman, Cdr Lydia Robertson, said that the Global Patriot had warned the small boats to turn away "via bridge-to-bridge radio and a series of warning steps".
"One small boat continued to approach the motor vessel, which then reportedly fired warning shots."
Confirming that the incident was under investigation, she added:
"Fleet authorities are working cooperatively with Egyptian authorities through the US Embassy in Cairo."
Cigarettes
A spokesman for Global Container Lines told the Associated Press that he had no information about the incident.
According to the US Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC), the Global Patriot is a US-flagged roll-on, roll-off container ship chartered from Global Container Lines.According to the US Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC), the Global Patriot is a US-flagged roll-on, roll-off container ship chartered from Global Container Lines.
In the past, it has been used by the MSC to transport a US military Patriot Missile defence battery, ammunition, and MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles around the world.In the past, it has been used by the MSC to transport a US military Patriot Missile defence battery, ammunition, and MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles around the world.
On this occasion, the Global Patriot is said to have been transporting used US military equipment from Dubai.On this occasion, the Global Patriot is said to have been transporting used US military equipment from Dubai.
A spokesman for Global Container Lines told the Associated Press that he had no information about the incident, while the US Navy said it was looking into the reports.
The BBC's Heba Saleh in Cairo says fisherman and small boats carrying hawkers ply the waters of the canal trying to sell cigarettes and other local products to ship passing through.The BBC's Heba Saleh in Cairo says fisherman and small boats carrying hawkers ply the waters of the canal trying to sell cigarettes and other local products to ship passing through.
It is not clear why those on board the Global Patriot opened fire, although al-Qaeda militants have in the past used small motorboats to attack US military and other foreign vessels in waters off the coast of Yemen, our correspondent adds. It is not clear why those on board the Global Patriot opened fire.
Al-Qaeda militants have in the past used small motorboats to attack US military and other foreign vessels in waters off the coast of Yemen, our correspondent adds.