An offshore oil rig has exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, about 80 miles south of Louisiana’s Vermilion Bay. This is west of the site of the April 20 Deepwater Horizon blast that caused the massive oil spill.
The US Coast Guard says the blast was reported by a commercial helicopter company about 9:30 a.m. CDT Thursday. Seven helicopters, two airplanes, and four boats are en route to the site.
The commercial helicopter pilot saw smoke coming from the drilling rig in Vermilion Bay, but it is unclear whether the rig is still burning.
Authorities say all 13 workers on board a rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico are accounted for. One of them was taken to Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma, Louisiana. His condition is unknown at this time.
The Coast Guard has reported that Mariner Energy owns the rig.
The rig is in about 2,500 feet of water and is not currently producing.