Gunashli fire: Six bodies found (Azerbaijan)

Dead bodies of six offshore workers, which went missing following the explosion of Socar’s Caspian Sea platform on Friday, have been found.

According to the Azeri ministry for emergency situations, two bodies have been brought to shore, and the other four are expected to be recovered soon.

This now means that 23 workers are unaccounted for. The search and rescue operation for the remaining workers continues, the ministry said on Monday. The news brings the total death toll to seven people, after it had been reported that one worker died on Friday. Thirty-three people were rescued.

Earlier on Monday, Azeri news agency Trend reported that the Gunashli 10 platform was still burning, after it caught fire on Friday. The incident started when the storm damaged a gas pipeline, leading to the fire at the platform producing oil from the Gunashli field.

The Gunashli field is an offshore oil field in the Caspian Sea, located 120 kilometers east of Baku, Azerbaijan.

Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, on Sunday declared a day mourning for those who died in the tragic accident.

Offshore Energy Today Staff