Several Injured in Explosion on Petrobras Rig Off Brazil
An explosion ripped through a Petrobras oil rig off Brazil's southeastern coast Wednesday, injuring several people, a spokesperson for the state government of Espirito Santo told Agence France-Presse.
Globo television reported three deaths and 15 seriously injured in the blast about 60 kilometers (36 miles) from the shore but neither Petrobras nor the state government would confirm the toll.
"The victims are being taken by helicopter to Vitoria (the state capital) and transferred to hospital," the spokesperson said, adding that several of those injured had suffered serious burns.
Flights were suspended at Vitoria airport to allow the helicopters to operate unhindered and ten ambulances were deployed to transfer the injured, the state government said.
Petrobras, Brazil's biggest company, is currently mired in a huge corruption scandal involving kickbacks to politicians that led to the resignation of its board of directors last week.
Aldemir Bendine, previously chief executive of state-controlled Banco do Brasil, took over as CEO from Graca Foster, who stepped down in the face of mounting market and political pressure.
Source: Agence France Presse
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