Posted on 04/21/2010 3:27:19 AM PDT by chemicalman
NEAR VENICE, La. – At least seven people have been critically injured and 11 are missing following an explosion and fire aboard a mobile offshore drilling unit approximately 50 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. Tuesday on the Deepwater Horizon. As of 5 p.m., officials said the fire continues to burn on the water and on the rig.
Coast Guard helicopters, planes and cutters are searching for those reported missing. Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike O'Berry said at one point the fire was so large and intense that it was hampering rescue efforts.
O'Berry said the extent of the injuries to those critically injured wasn't known, but that two of those injured had been airlifted to Mobile for treatment.
Reports to Eyewitness News say that 126 people have gotten safely off of the rig and they were being brought to the Coast Guard station in Venice.
Environmental impact crews are waiting in Morgan City. Once the fires are out, the crews will be sent to assess the possible damage.
According to the web site Upstreamonline.com, the rig belongs to Transocean and was operating for BP.
and the oil industry
115 people out of a crew of 126 had been accounted for.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36683314/ns/us_news-life/
Several hundred people in and around Shreveport, LA have been evacuated due to natural gas from drilling rigs showing up in their well water. Hope no one tries to flush a lit cigarette. ;0)
ELF sabotage?
Yes, prayers for a safe recovery of all personal. Thanks for reporting the incident chemicalman.
if you dont mind CNN.....thats a fire
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