http://www.nandotimes.com/noframes/story/0,2107,500148617-500180211-500730418-0,00.htmll

Two believed dead in fiery Canadian train crash

MONT-ST.-HILAIRE, Quebec (December 31, 1999 9:55 a.m. EST http://www.nandotimes.com) - Two train workers were presumed dead Friday after a fiery crash that set off explosions and forced 700 people from their homes east of Montreal. ...More than 300 homes were evacuated after tankers on the train exploded and the sky filled with thick smoke. Dubuc said the fire produced no toxic gases or liquids, and the evacuations were a precaution. The two trains were traveling in opposite directions on different tracks when they collided 30 miles east of Montreal. Railway officials believe one of the trains derailed and tipped over the other, but the official cause of the accident has yet to be determined. ..."There were three explosions and with the third explosion, we were at the window, and we could feel the heat on our faces," Masse said.

==================

http://www.nandotimes.com/noframes/story/0,2107,500148607-500180197-500730308-0,00.html

French police find 1,100 tons of explosives, suspect Basque separatists

PAU, France (December 31, 1999 9:14 a.m. EST http://www.nandotimes.com) - Police said Friday that they had discovered about 1,100 tons of explosives apparently belonging to suspected Basque terrorists in an overnight raid in this southwestern French city....

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), December 31, 1999

Answers

"1100 tons"??!?!?! Someone was gonna "get busy", I guess. Wonder if they meant 1100 pounds, or Kilos?

-- Little Pig (littlepig@brickhouse.com), December 31, 1999.

On the AP wire Hokie it was 2,200 tons of exp. That works out to 4.4 million Lbs. of TNT. Jeeezus... Thats a lot of bang for the buck, man. With that much TNT you could turn the Eiffel Tower into a giant Lawn dart...on the moon!!! My question is...How many square feet does 4.4 million pounds of TNT take up? Gawddamn lot of TNT....

-- Billy Boy (Rakkasan101st@Aol.com), December 31, 1999.

For educational use yaddayaddayadda...

Police Find Explosives in SW France

PAU, France (AP) -- Police said Friday that they had discovered about 2,200 tons of explosives belonging to suspected Basque terrorists in an overnight raid in this southwestern French city.

The explosives contained sodium chlorate and were hidden in a garage near the police station in central Pau, police said. A special anti-terrorist group was assigned to handle the investigation.

Security has been stepped up in the French Basque region following the recent announcement by the Spanish Basque separatist organization ETA that it was ending its 14-month cease-fire.

French authorities said they feared renewed terrorist attacks on French territory. The French Basque region has traditionally been a safe haven for militant Spanish Basques.

AP-NY-12-31-99 0928EST Copyright ) Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

-- Billy Boy (Rakkasan101st@Aol.com), December 31, 1999.

Billy Boy,

Guess that's why they didn't just hide it like the "mules" in body cavities then, heh.

Wonder how TPTB are comin' up with all these last minute leads? Must be greasin' alot of palms I guess, but when lives are at stake then I can't see tax payers getting TOO bent outta shape about it.

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), December 31, 1999.