Coast Guard: Oil rig rocked by explosion sinks in Gulf of Mexico; 11 workers still missing

Oil rig sinks in Gulf of Mexico; 11 still missing

NEW ORLEANS — Officials are saying that an explosion on an oil rig off the coast of Louisiana has the potential to be a major spill.

The Coast Guard is still searching for the 11 workers missing since the blast Tuesday. Survivors who escaped the blast have told company officials that they fear those missing were unable to evacuate.

The company has been unable to confirm those reports.

The platform burned for more than a day after a massive explosion Tuesday. It sank into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday.

Crews have been searching by air and water for the 11 workers from the Deepwater Horizon, though one relative said family members have been told it’s unlikely anyone survived.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Officials are saying that the 11 workers missing since an explosion on an oil rig off the Louisiana coast may have been unable to escape the rig when the blast occurred.

Adrian Rose, vice president of Transocean, said Thursday that when some of the workers who survived were interviewed they said their missing colleagues may not have been able to evacuate in time. Rose says he is unable to confirm the reports.

The platform burned for more than a day after a massive explosion Tuesday. It sank into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday.

Crews have been searching by air and water for the 11 workers from the Deepwater Horizon, though one relative said family members have been told it’s unlikely anyone survived.