3 SHOTS -- FIRE



4 SHOTS -- INJURED



4 AIR SHOTS -- FIRE




Initials S-D/CW



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: "Fire at sea" - words dreaded by every sailor - took on a new and terrible meaning when all oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico on October 16.

Over 60 miles out in the Gulf, the rig was devastated by a huge explosion which ripped the specially strengthened structure apart. Designed to withstand the fury of the sea, the huge rig was bent and twisted by the for of the explosion and the tremendous heat of the flames.

When help arrived in the shape of coastguard helicopters and a flotill of small boats, the battle to control the flames soon got under way. Trained oil-fire fighters demolished sections of the rig and platform and experts flow out to the scene of the disaster struggled to stem the flow of oil from six submarine wells.

When the task was completed the grim roll-call revealed one man dead and six others from the rig crew missing.