Reports are coming in of an explosion on an oil drilling platform just off Louisiana’s coast.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed this morning that an explosion occurred on an oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana’s coast. Initial reports say that at least seven people were injured in the explosion and 15 workers are missing.

The incident was reported Tuesday night around 10 PM local time but is still currently burning 52 miles just South East of Venice, Louisiana.

Several fire boats are tackling the blaze which is threatening the environment.

According to several local news channels three people were in critical state and a further two suffered from burns though there severity are not known as yet.

It has so far been confirmed that all people on the platform have evacuated but 15 people remain missing.

126 people were reported to be on the platform and so far 115 of them have been accounted for said an official to WWL First News.

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