Oil spill seen after Gulf oil rig explosion
Non-active rig is still on fire, rescue efforts successful
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An oil rig has exploded about 128 kilometres off the coast of Louisiana, throwing 13 people overboard. The Coast Guard has confirmed that all 13 are accounted for and one is injured. They currently await rescue in water immersion suits. The Vermilion Oil Rig 380, which is owned by Houston-based Mariner Energy, was not actively producing any product, but officials could not confirm if there will be any resulting pollution.
UPDATE: An oil sheen the size of 100 feet by one nautical mile (or just under two kilometers) has been reported near the site. All 13 workers from the rig have now been evacuated to another offshore platform. The Coast Guard has said that the fire on the Vermilion Oil Rig has been contained but not yet extinguished.