Coast Guard searching for workers who evacuated after explosion at oil rig off U.S. coast
Posted April 21, 2010 8:19 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW ORLEANS, La. – At least 11 people are missing and seven injured after an explosion and fire at an oil drilling platform off the coast of Louisiana.
Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike O’Berry said the explosion happened around Tuesday night at the rig, which is 84 kilometres southeast of Venice, Louisiana, while 126 workers were aboard.
The rig was still burning Wednesday morning.
Berry said there are conflicting reports but that at least 11 — and possibly as many as 15 — are missing.
Seven workers were airlifted to a Naval air station near New Orleans, then taken to hospitals. He said two of the seven were taken to a burn unit.
Berry said many workers who escaped the rig were being brought to land on a workboat while authorities searched the Gulf of Mexico for any signs of lifeboats.
