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Terrifying footage captures moment a massive oil rig plunges into the ocean with 115 people on board
An alarming video has revealed the moment a massive oil rig tilted before plunging into the ocean with 115 people on board.
The Prospector 5 rig sank off the coast of Mayumba, Gabon, on Saturday (October 24) after apparently losing stability while preparing for a drilling operation.
According to The Independent, an Indian national was found dead following the disaster, and four others were missing, including three Gabonese nationals and one expatriate.
Terrifying footage shows workers fleeing as oil rig sinks
Footage filmed from a nearby ship shows the moment employees in life jackets scramble across the deck.
Some crew members can be seen moving toward safety, while others appear to stand watching as the illuminated rig slowly disappears beneath the dark waters. Enclosed lifeboats are also seen drifting away from the sinking ship.
Of the 115 people on board, 110 have been safely accounted for and brought ashore in Gabon, where medical care and support have been provided.
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, with Gabon's national navy joining in efforts to locate the missing workers.
Meanwhile, four British nationals are reportedly receiving assistance from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). No British fatalities have been reported.
An FCDO spokesperson told The Sun: "We are providing support to a number of British Nationals in Gabon and remain in contact with the local authorities."
What caused the massive oil rig to sink?
The rig, owned and operated by Borr, had been contracted to support BW Energy’s drilling operations off Gabon.
According to the firm, preliminary information suggests that the rig experienced a "punch-through event during preload activities," and this resulted in loss of stability and the sinking.
A "punch through" occurs when a rig leg breaks through the seabed into sediment or sand below, causing a sudden collapse.
Petroleum and Gas Minister Clotaire Kondja has announced that a technical investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident.
Gabon's Ministry of Petroleum and Gas also confirmed that it had activated a crisis unit, bringing together the ministry, the navy, the state oil company Gabon Oil, BW Energy, and Borr Drilling.
Borr Drilling Chief Executive Bruno Morand expressed concern for those still missing.
"We are deeply concerned for those who remain unaccounted for and everyone affected by this incident," Morand said. "Our immediate priority is supporting the ongoing search and rescue efforts and the welfare of all personnel involved."
The disaster has also raised concerns about the potential environmental consequences of the rig sinking near Gabon's coastline.
Panoro Energy shared that production had been halted and that there were no reports of damage or accidental discharges.
Despite this, pollution-response teams remain deployed to monitor the surrounding waters and protect the coastline.
The Prospector 5 was built in Shanghai in 2014 and was designed to operate in water depths of up to 400ft.
Officials have yet to disclose the cause of the sinking.