Seven injured, 11 missing after oil rig blast in US
By IANSWednesday, April 21, 2010
WASHINGTON - At least seven people were critically injured and 11 were missing after an explosion at an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, the US Coast Guard said Wednesday.
The explosion took place about 11 p.m. EST Tuesday on the Deepwater Horizon rig, situated 52 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, said Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike O’Berry.
At the time of the explosion, 126 people were on board the rig, O’Berry was quoted as saying by CNN.
Several people were hospitalised, including at least two, who were taken to a mobile trauma centre.
“A substantial majority of the 126-member crew is safe, but some crew members remain unaccounted for at this time,” said Transocean Ltd. which owns the drilling unit.
The company said its crisis teams were working with the Coast Guard and lease operator BP Exploration and Production Inc to “care for all rig personnel and search for missing rig personnel”.
The Coast Guard said it sent helicopters from New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama, to help evacuate people from the rig and look for those missing. The Coast Guard also sent four cutters to the drilling platform.
“The names and home towns of injured persons are being withheld until family members can be notified,” the company said.
