2 Feared Dead in Offshore Platform Explosion in Gulf of Mexico

Two are missing following an explosion and fire onboard an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico at West Delta Block 32, about 17 miles southeast of Grand Isle, Louisiana.

The Coast Guard has medevaced 11 crewmembers from the platform to local hospitals. In a statement released Friday afternoon, the Coast Guard reports that "nine additional crewmembers were safely evacuated off the platform." Two crewmembers remain missing in waters off Louisiana and a search to find them continues.

The platform was reportedly not producing at the time of the explosion and authorities say there is no oil leak. However, a sheen nearly one-half mile long and 200 yards wide was reported in the area.

The U.S. Coast Guard reports the fire has been extinguished. Investigators say the platform appears to be "structurally sound." The rig is in about 56 feet of water, and workers report that an estimated 28 gallons of oil remained in the broken line.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is investigating the incident.

In a statement on their website, Black Elk Energy, said "our thoughts and prayers are with those who are impacted. We have Black Elk personnel on the scene and en route. We are still collecting information at this time." 

The Houston based independent oil and gas company is expected to release more details late Friday. 

This latest disaster comes just a day after BP plead guilty to manslaughter charges and agreed to pay $4.5 billion in fines after the Deepwater Horizon exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, killing 11 and spilling 4.9 million barrels of oil.