Petroleum Platform Explodes In The Gulf Of Mexico

Because the water in the Gulf of Mexico wasn’t screwed up enough as it is, now come reports that an offshore petroleum platform has exploded and is on fire in the Gulf Mexico, approximately 80 miles off the Louisiana coast.

The good news is that all 13 people who had been aboard the vessel are now accounted for and are being rescued.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. this morning and was discovered by Coast Guard helicopters flying above the scene.

Seven Coast Guard helicopters, two airplanes and three cutters were dispatched to the scene from New Orleans, Houston and Mobile, Ala.

While the Coast Guard says they don’t know if any oil is leaking from the site of the accident, Department of Homeland Security tells the AP that the platform — situated in about 2,500 feet of water and owned by Mariner Energy of Houston — was not producing oil and gas.

Gulf oil platform explodes, burning off La. coast [Boston.com]

13 rescued in Gulf platform explosion [Houston Chronicle]

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