UpdateAt least 9 injured in Black Elk Energy oil rig fire - Coast Guard

16 November 2012 17:27  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--The US Coast Guard (USCG) is investigating a fire at a Black Elk Energy oil drilling rig off the coast of Louisiana, a spokesman at the USCG New Orleans sector said on Friday.

“I do understand nine subjects have been medevac off commercial helicopters to local hospitals,” the spokesman said. “I do not have the extent of their injuries.”

Local media has reported that the fire has killed at least two people, although the USCG spokesman said he cannot confirm it.

“I cannot confirm there was an explosion,” the spokesman said. “It was not an active platform.”

A safety manager at Black Elk Energy reported 26 people were on board, the spokesman said.

“We have had a couple of different accounts, and we are still working on confirmation,” he said. “We do have assets actively searching for missing persons in the water.”

By: Tracy Dang
+1 713 525 2653

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