Personal safety of Transocean staff unknown after fire

The personal safety of a number of Transocean employees is in question after a fire occured at one of the company's semisubmersible drilling rigs in the US Gulf of Mexico.

In a statement, the organisation revealed that while "a substantial majority" of its staff members are fine, there remain a number of individuals currently unaccounted for.

According to the firm, it is working alongside the US Coast Guard and lease operator BP Exploration & Production in order to locate the missing persons.

"Injured personnel are receiving medical treatment as necessary," it noted. "The names and hometowns of injured persons are being withheld until family members can be notified."

The facility is based on Mississippi Canyon block 252, around 41 miles offshore of Louisiana.

BP group chief executive Tony Hayward said he and his enterprise will provide any assistance necessary, adding that its thoughts and concerns are with the families of those whose whereabouts are unknown.