Legal News for Louisiana Personal Injury Attorneys. An oil rig explosion off the coast of Louisiana left 12 workers critically injured, while 11-12 others remain missing.
Louisiana personal injury lawyer alert- An oil rig explosion, blaze occurred off the coast of Venice, Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving seven with critical injuries.
New Orleans, LA—An explosion and blaze occurred on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, critically injuring seven employees on Tuesday night, April 20, 2010. The oil drilling rig is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, according to information provided by the New York Times.
The oil rig explosion and fire occurred at approximately 10 p.m., and prompted an evacuation of all Transocean and BP employees on board. Twelve workers allegedly required medical transport after they suffered critical injuries. The injured explosion victims were taken to hospitals between New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama. It was reported that parts of the rig were still on fire Wednesday morning, April 21, 2010.
The Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil rig, which is under lease by British Petroleum (BP), can reportedly function in areas as deep as 8,000 feet. The rig itself is 396 feet long and 256 wide.
Reports stated 11 to 12 of the estimated 126 people aboard the Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil rig remained unaccounted for. While Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser allegedly stated a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter noticed a small boat carrying survivors at approximately 2 a.m., rescue personnel lost sight of the boat in the process of recovering other survivors from the water.
According to Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, “We’ve had hurricanes and fires on the rigs, but I can’t remember that we ever had this type of explosion and definitely not on this type of rig… This is one of the largest, deep water, off-shore drilling rigs.” Nungesser also allegedly contended, “The rig is leaning badly… Like it may go over sometime today.”
A full investigation into the Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion is expected to be underway as rescue efforts to retrieve the missing employees continue.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyers.
