-Official press release, provided by the Joannalandian Ministry of Defense-
"This morning of November the 8th, cargo vessels bound for Norn and Greater Americania, and largely belonging to the Joannalandian merchant marine, were violently and deliberately attacked by saboteurs. At approximately 3AM, explosives planted in the cargo holds of cargo vessels A-27 and A-44 exploded just southeast of Norn, sinking both vessels.
A-27 explodes near Norn
A-44 sinks after exploding
Between the hours of 5AM and 7AM, four more vessels exploded and slipped beneath the waves. Three of these vessels, A-33, A-57, and A-10, were part of a larger convoy bound for Greater Americania, and exploded shortly after departing from Geln, off the coast of New Ostberg.
A-10 burns, shortly after the explosion
A-10 sinks
A-33, blown completely in half
A-57 explodes
A-57's last moments
The forth ship, an independently-operated bulk hauler refueling in Geln, exploded at its moorings after engine trouble prevented it from departing with the aforementioned convoy. The explosion resulted in the deaths of 10 Joannalandian repair workers and 5 foreign crewmembers, with 6 more crewmates injured and in unstable condition.
Enduring Hope, sitting on the harbor bottom in Geln
Search and rescue operations out of Norn began at roughly 4AM, when emergency vessels and nearby merchant craft arrived on the scene. Ships in the convoy out of Geln immediately began rescue operations, and were later assisted by additional rescuers, deployed from New Ostberg The search continues, but is currently being hampered by deteriorating weather.
Search vessel, in stormy weather
At 7AM this morning, Supreme Revolutionary Leader Joanna Sorensen has suspended all commercial traffic in or out of the country, clearing ships to depart only after having their holds opened and all cargo containers searched for explosives by Revolutionary guard members. These searches have already found timed explosives in a further 3 vessels, which were then disarmed and sent to the Ministry of Intelligence for analysis.
Increased security measures can be expected at all Joannalandian ports. Measures are to include mandatory searches of all cargo crates, which will then be sealed with tamper-evident devices. Armed guards are to be posted at all piers, to intercept anyone intending to tamper with docked vessels.
The death toll currently stands at 102 dead, a further 73 wounded, and at least 60 missing, with millions of buckets of corn syrup worth of tonnage. Our hearts go out to the surviving families of those lost, both at home and abroad. We will continue to brief the public as the situation develops, and will not rest until those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
