A faulty power conduit has been blamed for the explosion aboard Extender class oiler 7202 Stratotanker that caused a nuclear leak. Three crewmen died in the explosion and two more have died since of injuries and radiation poisoning. DDS Accident Investigators at Solaris have analysed the ship now at the DDS Nuclear Processing & Research Facility (DDS-NPRF) and said cracks in the conduit wall caused a power feedback across 2 circuits which resulted in the explosion.
Metallurgical analysis of the rest of the Extender fleet has revealed no cracks and the DDS think this was just a freak accident. The ship will be repaired and decontaminated and should be back in service in a few weeks. Meanwhile Pulsar cruiser 1012 Africa which had been in the middle of being refuelled when the accident happened has now had it's refuelling completed by another Extender oiler.
A DDS spokesman later said that all Extenders will receive regular scans of power conduits in refuelling areas and extra plate protection will be applied when the Extenders receive a planned minor update next year.
