Evacuated workers sought after oil rig explosion

[April 21, 2010]  NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- At least 11 people are missing and seven injured after an explosion and fire at an oil drilling platform off the coast of Louisiana.

Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike O'Berry says the explosion happened around 10 p.m. Tuesday, 52 miles southeast of Venice, La., while 126 workers were aboard. The rig was still burning Wednesday morning.

Berry says there are conflicting reports coming in but at least 11 -- and possibly as many as 15 -- are missing. Seven workers were airlifted to a Naval air station near New Orleans, then taken to hospitals. He says two of the seven were taken to a burn unit.

Berry says many workers who escaped the rig were being brought to land on a workboat while authorities searched the Gulf of Mexico for any signs of lifeboats.

[Associated Press; By KEVIN McGILL]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.