DAILY NEWS, FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1975

Frogmen Blew Up a French Ship in Havana

By PAUL MICKEL
News Correspondent

At 4:10 p.m. on March 4, 1960, a tremendous explosion blew up the French freighter La Coubre in Havana harbor, killing at least 29 people and injuring more than 200.

The vessel, a 4,000-ton freighter, was carrying a cargo of Belgian-made arms and ammunition for the Cuban government.

A former CIA agent told the News yesterday that the explosion was caused by frogmen working for the CIA.

The agent, who asked not to be identified, said the frogmen attached a mine to the hull of the ship while it was anchored in Havana harbor.

The explosion occurred as the ship was being unloaded.

The agent said the CIA had been informed by its agents in Havana that the ship was carrying arms and ammunition for the Cuban government.

The CIA then ordered the frogmen to attach the mine to the hull of the ship.

The agent said the CIA was not aware that the ship was carrying arms and ammunition for the Cuban government.

The agent said the CIA was not aware that the ship was carrying arms and ammunition for