KENNER, La., Oct. 15, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — The New Orleans Division of the Coast Guard and other agencies responded Sunday night to an oil rig explosion on Lake Pontchartrain.
Officials said calls reporting the explosion started coming in around 7:18 p.m.
According to the Kenner City Government Facebook page, the rig explosion is about four to five miles west of a boat launch, and the boat launch is now being used as a staging area for law enforcement agencies to access the explosion site.
“It was reported by one of the platform workers that eight people were aboard at the time of the explosion, and one person did not make it to shore. Of the seven people who made it to shore, six were taken to the hospital. The Coast Guard and partner agencies continue to search for the missing man.
“Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Jefferson County Parish, and St. Charles Parish also have marine units on scene. Bayou Gauche Fire Department and a good Samaritan vessel are on scene fighting the fire, which has been reduced substantially.”
The Coast Guard in New Orleans sent out a 29-foot response boat and crew; a 45-foot response boat and crew; and a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter air crew.
Authorities at the scene reported that cleaning chemicals ignited on the surface of the oil rig platform, according to the Facebook page.
Witnesses told officials they heard a big boom and their houses shook following the explosion.
