One Person Still Missing Following Natgas Platform Explosion in Louisiana

One Person Still Missing Following Natgas Platform Explosion in Louisiana
Local authorities are performing a search and rescue for one person still unaccounted for after a natural gas platform explosion on Lake Pontchartrain.

An explosion on a natural gas storage platform on Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana Sunday night has left seven people injured and an eighth person missing as of Monday morning, according to local authorities.

The explosion was in Jefferson Parish water, but the rig itself is located in unincorporated Jefferson Parish. The Sheriff of Jefferson Parish, Joseph P. Lopinto, III, said during a press conference late Sunday night that the one person unaccounted for is being treated as a search and rescue. He also confirmed that there was some cleaning being done on the platform, but did not specify the exact cause for the explosion.

Mike Guillot, director of emergency medical services at East Jefferson General Hospital, said five of the victims were brought to the trauma center with “blast type injuries and burns.” The other two victims are “stable.”

The Mayor of the city of Kenner, which is in close proximity to the explosion, said during the press conference that impact to nearby homes and neighborhoods was minimal.

During a news conference about 8 a.m. local time, the sheriff said aside from the eight people, there were additional people near the area at the time of the blast.

The sheriff has said to expect a press conference update at 4pm, local time. You can follow the City of Kenner’s Facebook page for updates.



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James  |  October 17, 2017
This is indeed a terrible tragedy. I truly hope they find the missing worker, that he is okay and that the other individuals recover completely from their injuries.


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