Oil vessel explodes off Nigeria's coast; casualties feared

Offshore oil vessel

On this Monday, Dec. 26, 2011 file picture, an offshore oil vessel is seen off the coast of the Niger Delta in Nigeria.

ABUJA, NIGERIA --
An oil manufacturing vessel has exploded off the coast of Nigeria, an official of the Shebah Exploration and Manufacturing Firm Restricted mentioned Thursday, amid fears of the deaths of crew members.


Ten crew have been on board when the explosion occurred on Wednesday in Nigeria's southwest Delta state, mentioned Ikemefuna Okafor, CEO of the oil firm. The reason for the explosion is being investigated as "vital events" work to include the scenario, he added.


It isn't instantly clear how a lot harm was brought on by the explosion however movies presupposed to have been taken from the scene present the vessel engulfed in hearth and thick smoke as oil staff and fishermen watch from close by.


The floating oil manufacturing, storage and offloading vessel is within the oil-rich Niger Delta area. The corporate has mentioned the vessel has the capability of storing as much as 2 million barrels of oil.


SEPCOL is "prioritizing investigations with respect to their security and safety" and has notified all related authorities concerning the growth, Okafor mentioned.


Nigerian authorities have taken steps up to now to curb such disasters which specialists have argued typically happen because of non-compliance with trade rules. In December, Nigerian federal lawmakers mentioned a wellhead spilled greater than 2 million barrels of oil and fuel within the Niger Delta area over one month.


Residents are normally affected, affected by polluted land, water and air, say specialists.

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