Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19
By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:
A large-scale search is underway in the Caspian Sea for Azerbaijani oilmen missing after a fire on the offshore platform #10, Trend has learned from Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR.
The fire broke out on the offshore platform Dec. 4, as a strong storm damaged an underwater high-pressure gas pipeline. As many as 33 people were rescued in an ensuing large-scale operation. The bodies of seven killed were retrieved, while 23 oil workers are still listed as missing.
Vessels and helicopters from Azerbaijan's Emergency Situations Ministry and the State Border Service, as well as a plane and diving groups have joined the search operation.
SOCAR also said firefighting is underway at the platform to extinguish the fire in several gas wells.
The firefighting operation is being conducted both from vessels and on the platform itself.
Earlier, it was possible to completely extinguish all burning oil wells at the platform.