An explosion rocked an offshore oil drilling platform, sending a column of fire into the sky and touching off a frantic search at sea Wednesday for at least 11 reported missing.
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana - The Coast Guard says at least 11 people are missing and seventeen hurt after an explosion and fire at an oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana. The rig -- which is still burning -- is owned by Transocean Ltd. of Houston. Spokesman Greg Panagos says the rig was drilling but was not in production. The rig is under contract to BP.Chief Petty Officer Mike O'Berry says most of the 126 people on the rig are believed to have safely escaped after last night's explosion. The site is about 52 miles southeast of Venice on Louisiana's tip.Seventeen workers were airlifted and taken to hospitals. A total of six workers were taken to USA Medical Center in Mobile. One worker is being treated in the USA Burn Center. The other five were treated and released, according to Bob Lowery, a spokesperson for the hospital.Helicopters, an airplane and boats searched for any sign of the missing workers. Meanwhile, the rig was listing at about 70 degrees and threatening to topple over.If you're trying to find out if your loved one is okay, call the next of kin hotline at 832.587.8554.
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