details added (first version posted at 16:33)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 6
Trend:
A strong wind and high waves hampered the rescuers to approach our boat, Malakhat Aliyeva, one of the rescued on the platform of the Guneshli field, told Trend Dec. 6.
Aliyeva is being treated at the Central Hospital of Oil Workers in Baku.
"I went to the room to relax after work," she said. "Suddenly I heard an explosion and went out of the room. The security was ensured at the platform at a high level. I immediately put on a life jacket and went to the first unit. I tried to open the door. The first unit was filled with smoke. Then, we opened the door with the help of the workers. We all approached the boat on the platform. Some 26 people got into the boat."
"We were about 17-18 hours there," she said. "We could not contact anyone. The phones were out of service. The representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations saved us in the morning. But a strong wind and high waves hampered the rescuers to approach our boat. The situation was controlled by the government. I thank everyone, including the president, for rescuing us."
The ignition started on Dec.4 at the platform No.10 of this field, where the Azerbaijani SOCAR company produces oil and gas through its own funds.
SOCAR said that the fire at the platform was caused by the windstorm, which damaged a gas line.
Some 32 people have been rescued, while 30 people are considered missing.