Seven injured in Louisiana rig explosion

NEW ORLEANS, October 16, 2017 – A rig explosion Sunday night injured seven and left one missing in Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain.

Five of the workers are in critical condition with “blast type injuries and burns,” and the other two are stable.

The explosion occurred at 7.45pm local time. The rig, owned by Clovelly Oil Company, was in production, and authorities are now working to stop the flow and burn off the oil safely if necessary.

“Cleaning chemicals ignited on the surface of the oil rig platform,” the City of Kenner government posted to its Facebook account, but the Jefferson Parish sheriff did not confirm, saying the cause would be investigated after the blaze was extinguished.

The Coast Guard, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Jefferson Parish, Kenner Police, St. Charles Parish, St. John Parish all assisted with the emergency response.

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