One Filipino worker was killed, nine others were injured
An oil and gas rig off the coast of Louisiana was hit by an explosion and set it on fire on Friday morning, ABC News reports
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that a Black Elk Energy Co. oil and natural gas platform had some sort of explosion occur in the Gulf, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky over the water.
According to PhilSTAR, one Filipino worker was killed, nine others were injured and another remained missing after a fire that was triggered by the explosion.
Raul Hernandez, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman,said the embassy had confirmed that the body of a Filipino worker was recovered near the offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico.
The fatality was not immediately identified.
Two Filipinos were earlier reported missing after the explosion and fire at the oil platform even as the US Coast Guard called off the search and rescue operations.
“The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has began an investigation into the explosion and fire aboard a Black Elk Energy production platform offshore Louisiana. BSEE continues working very closely with the United States Coast Guard throughout the response. Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured and missing and their families. BSEE is committed to determining the direct and indirect causes of the explosion and will take appropriate enforcement action.”, Director James A. Watson said in a statement
The explosion and fire comes the day after BP agreed to a $4 billion settlement for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion in the gulf, triggering the worst offshore oil spill in the country’s history.
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