Three bodies have been recovered following the sinking of an offshore drilling rig operated by Borr Drilling in Gabon, as rescue teams continue searching for missing personnel.
The Prospector 5 rig sank off the coast of Mayumba over the weekend while supporting offshore operations for BW Energy.
The incident initially left five people missing among the 115 personnel aboard the rig. Borr Drilling previously confirmed that 110 people had been accounted for following the accident.
According to reports, the latest recovery operations were conducted using an underwater remotely operated vehicle. The equipment helped locate the bodies beneath the water as authorities continued efforts to recover the remaining missing personnel.
Gabon’s navy chief said two people were still unaccounted for following the latest discoveries.
The accident has raised concerns about offshore safety and the risks associated with drilling operations in the region.
Preliminary findings reportedly indicated that the rig lost stability during preload activities, causing it to sink. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine what went wrong.
The rig had been contracted to support BW Energy’s offshore drilling operations but had not yet begun drilling.
Authorities and the companies involved are also assessing the potential environmental impact of the sinking.
Reports indicated that approximately 280 cubic metres of marine diesel fuel were aboard the rig when it went down. Environmental response teams are working to limit possible pollution and protect nearby coastal areas.
The incident has prompted renewed attention to safety procedures and emergency preparedness in offshore oil and gas operations.
Borr Drilling said it was coordinating with local authorities and BW Energy as recovery efforts continued.
