Body of Third Filipino Worker Killed in Rig Accident Recovered (USA)

The death toll in the November 16 explosion and fire that hit an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico has climbed to three after authorities positively identified the body recovered on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) as that of a missing Filipino worker.

Jose L. Cuisia, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America, said Jerome Malagapo became the third fatality in the accident that also claimed the lives of two other Filipinos and left three seriously injured.

“We are deeply saddened to learn that we lost our kababayan, Jerome Malagapo,” Ambassador Cuisia said after he was informed by the Coroner’s Office of La Fourche Parish that the remains belonged to the 28-year-old fitter from Danao City, Cebu.

Cuisia said the Embassy was informed of the recovery of Malagapo’s body as early as Monday but decided not to release any information until the remains were positively identified by US authorities.

The recovery of Malagapo came three days after Tajonera, a 49-year-old welder from Bataan, who died as a result of complications from the serious burns he sustained in the incident that also claimed the life of Corporal, a 42-year-old rigger from Iligan City.

The embassy has also informed that two other workers remain in critical condition at the Regional Burn Unit of the Baton Rouge General Hospital, while the condition of another, Wilberto Ilagan, a 50-year-old welder from Batangas, continues to improve.

Black Elk Energy, the company which owns the platform on which the incident took place also issued a statement:“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We continue to work in close cooperation with government officials to understand exactly what happened in this incident.”

 Video Release: Necrological services for two Filipino workers in Gulf of Mexico oil platform fire, 28 November 2012

Related:

Worker Dies of Burns from U.S. Gulf Platform Fire

BSEE: Black Elk Energy Must Improve Safety Performance (USA)

Fire Catches GoM Platform. Two Workers Missing

[mappress]
November 30, 2012