Gulf oil rig explosion kills one person

An explosion on an offshore oil and gas platform in the Gulf of Mexico has killed one person and injured three.

Houston, Texas-based company Fieldwood Energy reported the blast on its Echo Platform just before 3pm local time, about 12 miles off Louisiana’s coast.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said the platform was not in production at the time and damage was limited to the area. There was no indication that any oil had spilled into the ocean, it added.

Bureau spokeswoman Chauntra Rideaux said the explosion was being investigated.