Shuttle disaster blamed on seal

The Columbia shuttle disaster was probably caused by a seal that broke between protective tiles on the left wing, the official inquiry indicated last night.

Confirming earlier theories, investigators said the tiles were most likely damaged at lift-off by pieces of insulating foam which broke off the shuttle's external fuel tank.

Superheated gases in the atmosphere entered the shuttle's skin and burned up the spacecraft. Columbia broke up on February 1, killing all seven astronauts on board - just 16 minutes before it was scheduled to arrive in Florida.

Adml Hal Gehman, of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, said: 'We now know enough to the point where we should now focus our effort.'