Two die in oil rig accident
Two workers on a Shell oil platform in the North Sea have been killed in an accident, the company confirmed.
The pair have yet to be named but the families have been informed.
Gas was released on the Brent Bravo platform, situated 116 miles north-east of Lerwick, Shetland, but it is understood there was no explosion.
The gas was detected just before 16:00 GMT on Thursday.
Pumps to the seabed may have carried a “kickback”, or pocket of gas, within an oil well, to the surface.
About sixty workers were evacuated by helicopter to nearby Brent Alpha and Brent Charlie platforms for safety reasons.
Production on the platform was halted.
The bodies were expected to remain on the rig until later on Friday, the coastguard confirmed.
Shell Expro Managing Director Tom Botts said: “We are deeply saddened by the deaths of two of our colleagues. Our thoughts are with their families and friends and we will do all that we can to ensure that they are supported through this difficult time.”
A news conference is due to be held at 0630 BST in Aberdeen.
Police, the Health and Safety Executive and Shell Expro officials will begin an investigation into the fatal incident.
