A devastating fire erupted on the Nohoch Alfa offshore platform in the Bay of Campeche, Gulf of Mexico, resulting in at least two fatalities and one person missing. The incident occurred on Friday, as reported by Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), the state-owned oil company.
The platform was bustling with 328 workers at the time the fire broke out. Pemex confirmed that 321 of these workers have been safely evacuated. In an effort to control the blaze, four boats were dispatched to the scene.
In addition to the loss of life, the fire has also resulted in injuries. Pemex initially reported that at least six people were injured in the incident. The identities of the deceased and the missing individual have been confirmed as employees of the company operating on the facility, not Pemex staff.
Octavio Romero Oropeza, the Director of Pemex, revealed in a video statement on Twitter that the section of the platform where the fire originated has been completely destroyed. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by Pemex. Oropeza stated that the company’s immediate focus is on locating the missing individual and restoring operations on the platform.
Witnesses from nearby platforms reported to CNN that the flames were visible from their locations, indicating the significant magnitude of the incident.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, during a press conference, stated that Pemex firefighters were battling the blaze, with additional support from the Mexican Navy.
Pemex, which has a history of major industrial accidents at its facilities, pledged to keep the public informed about the progress in controlling the fire, extinguishing it, and assessing the damage.
This incident follows a similar occurrence in 2021 when a large “eye of fire” near a Pemex offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico was successfully brought under control.
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