Details added (first version posted on 16:31)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 5
Trend:
Fire continues on platform #10 of Azerbaijan's Gunashli field in the Caspian Sea, and it has even spread to some wells, said Balamirza Alirahimov, chief engineer at SOCAR's production union Azneft.
He made the remarks Dec. 7 at a press conference in Baku.
Earlier, on Dec. 4, a fire broke out on an offshore platform of SOCAR's Gunashli field, after a strong storm damaged an underwater high-pressure gas pipeline.
As many as 33 people were rescued in a large-scale operation. Some 23 oil workers are listed as missing.
Alirahimov said it is planned to use additional equipment and fire-fighting means, including foam, to extinguish the platform fire.
He added that it is planned to use additional vessels to find the bodies of the oilmen.
"Searches will continue in all weather conditions, even if the wind speed reaches 25 meters per second. To do this, we have all the technical means and capabilities," he said.
Alirahimov added that the technical means and capabilities allow continuing the search in any conditions.