At Least 30 Missing After Azeri Oil Rig Fire In Caspian Sea

"A major fire has broken out on an offshore oil platform in Azerbaijan’s section of the Caspian Sea. The company says one person died and 32 were evacuated - while 30 more are missing.

The fire started overnight at a rig at the Gunashli field southeast of Neft Daşları (Oil Rocks) settlement. It was caused by strong winds that damaged a gas pipeline on the platform, the Azeri state energy company SOCAR said.

"The fire in the gas pipeline has not been completely extinguished and it has not been ruled out that it could spread to oil and gas wells near the platform," it stated.

The rescue operation was hampered by stormy weather with waves rising up to 11 meters high, Trend news website reported."

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