Offshore oil rig sinks in Russia's Far East
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Xinhua, December 18, 2011
Two people were dead and 51 missing after a drilling platform with 67 people on board overturned in the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia's Far East on Sunday, news agencies reported.
As of 0500 GMT, 14 people had been rescued and two bodies found, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing a regional emergency service spokesman.
"The bodies of two people were found. They will be lifted aboard the Magadan icebreaker," Taimuraz Kasaye was quoted as saying.
A helicopter, an icebreaker and another ship are searching for those still missing.
Russian media reported that a distress signal was sent out while the platform Kolskoye was being towed by the Magadan icebreaker amid high waves and strong winds.
The platform overturned so quickly that the crew had no time to shift to inflatable life rafts, said the Itar-Tass news agency, which put the number of personnel aboard the rig at 76.
All the rescued were in life-jackets and two empty life boats were found, said Kasaye.
He said there was no danger of a fuel spill because the oil rig contained only small amount of fuel "in sealed tanks."
According to Sakhalin weathermen, there are strong winds and waves up to 4 meters high on the sea, which is hampering rescue efforts.
Kasaye said the search and rescue had to be suspended at night and will resume on Monday morning.
A criminal probe had been launched into the accident, said the regional investigation committee.
The rig, operated by Russian exploration company Arktikmorneftegazrazvedka, is about 200 km off Sakhalin Island. It was engaged in shelf exploration on the Okhotsk Sea.
The 69-meter-long and 80-meter-wide platform was built in 1985 in Finland, capable of carrying up to 102 people.
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