The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued an advisory warning that terrorists could target fuel trucks and petroleum transfer facilities. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), this was issued upon unconfirmed information obtained by the government through interviews of detained terrorist suspects and follows a general alert to the entire petroleum industry in April. ATA notes that two incidents in Israel the week of May 20 showed how terrorists can target fuel trucks. One involved an unsuccessful hijack attempt on a fuel truck. In the second incident, an explosive device was successfully planted on a diesel tanker during its normal route. The device was later detonated by remote control while the driver was taking on a load in the country’s largest fuel depot. DOT is advising the trucking industry to be especially vigilant during times when hazardous material movements, particularly those involving fuel and petroleum products, are stopped, even for a short time. Reports of non-emergency suspicious activity should be made to your local FBI office, or via 911 if you observe any activity involving an immediate threat.
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