Gunmen Kill Several at Saudi Oil Compound

Ministry: Three attackers worked at site of shootings

Saturday, May 1, 2004

(10:33 PM ET) (02:33 GMT)

The Cable News Network

CNN's Caroline Faraj contributed to this report

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw issued a statement saying, "I am shocked and sickened by this act of terrorism. My sympathies are with the friends and families of all of the victims of this horrific attack ... The perpetrators of this atrocious attack clearly have no respect for innocent lives. We cannot let the terrorists succeed. The Saudi authorities have our full support and are working hard to tackle terrorism. We stand ready to offer assistance."

CNN
Four attackers entered a Saudi compound and opened fire on workers Saturday, killing six, Saudi officials said.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said three of the attackers worked at the compound.

Saudi authorities believe the four people who carried out the attack are on a list of 26 wanted militants released in December. Many of the people on that list are linked to al Qaeda, they said.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed that two Americans were killed in the attack in the Red Sea industrial town of Yanbu, and a third was wounded.

The Australian Foreign Office said a 57-year-old Australian man died, and the British Embassy said two Britons were killed. Officials also reported the death of a Saudi police officer.

Two of the attackers blew themselves up in a stolen car as they were being chased by police; a third was killed by security, and the fourth was shot, captured and later died of his wounds, the Saudi Interior Ministry said.

Several of the victims were employees of the petrochemical company ABB Lummus Global Inc., part of Switzerland-based ABB Ltd.

The attack occurred at an oil refinery co-owned by Exxon Mobil Corp. and Saudi Basic Industries Corp., The Associated Press quoted company officials and diplomats as saying.

Diplomats from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada were traveling to the area to investigate the incident.

The Canadian Foreign Ministry said it had reports but no immediate confirmation that two Canadians were wounded.

One Saudi policeman was wounded, police said.

(More: CNN.com / World)

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Dan