Fears escalated today after it was thought a Canvey gas terminal could be a potential target for terrorists.
The worries arose as two people were killed in Istanbul early today in an apparent terrorist attack, which saw two bombs explode at a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant.
The Calor Gas Terminal in Haven Road stores LPG and the blast in Turkey brought back memories of when the island was hit by terrorists in the past.
In 1979 it was rocked by the IRA, windows were shattered and homes shook for miles when a bomb went off at the Texaco terminal.
The bomb was planted beside the aviation fuel tank, once in Haven Road, and only the low levels of fuel in the container saw a major disaster avoided.
Adam Clarke, 21, from Clifton Road, Canvey, said: "It is worrying and something which has concerned me in the past.
"You tend to forget about it but things like this attack in Istanbul suddenly make you remember.
"Nowadays you never can be too careful and there is no reason that Canvey wouldn't be targeted - it is pretty close to London and on the Thames."
Published Tuesday August 10, 2004
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