Yesterday, there was a huge oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. The rig, leased by energy giant BP, is still missing 12 members of it’s crew. Luckily, the coast guard reported that 98 of the 126 workers were safe and were on their way to shore. A further 17 had been flown to hospital after the explosion and 7 were critically injured.

Officials said that the rig, Deepwater Horizon, was tilting by 70 degrees last night and could topple into the sea. Five fire fighting vessels were trying to control the blaze. The cause of the explosion remains unclear, but drilling at such depths can be hazardous because of the high pressures and temperatures involved. Last September, BP used the rig to set a record of drilling to a depth of 35,000 ft. (about 6 miles).

BP reported a revenue of $236 billion last year, with exploration and production in over 30 countries. The energy company’s head, Tony Hayward, said to the press, “Our concern and thoughts are with the rig personnel and their families.” They’re latest numbers indicate they employ just over 80,000 people globally.

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