Five Missing as Oil Rig Sinks Off Gabon Coast

Five people are missing after an oil rig sank off the coast of Gabon, with rescue teams continuing efforts to locate the workers.

The rig’s operator, Borr Drilling, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the incident occurred on Saturday evening while the rig was preparing for an offshore drilling campaign.

According to the Bermuda-based company, the Prospector 5 rig suffered a major structural failure, causing it to lose stability and sink.

Borr Drilling said 115 people were on board when the incident occurred, adding that 110 had been safely accounted for, while five remained missing.

The company said extensive search-and-rescue operations were ongoing to find the missing workers.

The Prospector 5 was supporting drilling operations for BW Energy, a Norwegian oil and gas company with operations in Gabon, Brazil and Namibia.

Borr Drilling said it was coordinating with BW Energy in response to the incident, adding that its immediate priority was supporting rescue efforts and ensuring the welfare of all personnel affected.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Bruno Morand, expressed concern for the missing workers and others affected by the incident.