Title: Fire Breaks Out on Nohoch Alfa Oil Platform in the Gulf of Mexico, Resulting in Casualties
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At least two people have been reported dead and one person is missing following a fire that broke out on Friday at the Nohoch Alfa offshore platform located in the Bay of Campeche, Gulf of Mexico. The state-owned oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) confirmed the tragic incident in a statement.
According to Pemex, the fire started on the oil platform, prompting the evacuation of 321 out of the 328 workers present at the time of the incident. The company has dispatched four boats to control the fires on the platform as emergency crews work tirelessly to extinguish the flames.
Initially, Pemex stated that six workers sustained injuries during the incident. However, in a recent video statement, Pemex Director Octavio Romero Oropeza clarified that the two fatalities and the missing person are individuals from the contractor working at the facility, not Pemex employees.
The platform section where the fire originated has been completely destroyed, and Pemex has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. At present, their focus is on locating the missing person and resuming operations.
Witnesses from nearby platforms have reported seeing the flames from a distance, indicating the significant magnitude of the incident. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador confirmed that Pemex firefighters and the Mexican Navy are actively involved in battling the blaze.
Pemex, known for its history of industrial accidents, has pledged to provide continuous updates on fire control, extinguishment efforts, and damage assessment throughout the day.
This incident at Nohoch Alfa is not the first fire incident to occur in the Gulf of Mexico this year. In 2021, a fire resembling a large “eye of fire” was successfully brought under control near another Pemex offshore platform.
As investigations continue into the cause of the fire, the broader offshore oil industry is expected to implement enhanced safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Gulf of Mexico, known for its extensive oil production, is a critical region for the global energy supply chain. Ensuring the safety of oil workers and protecting the environment is of paramount importance as operations continue in this region.