Search ends for missing worker

US Coast Guard Photo

After 100 hours of search and rescue efforts, Black Elk Energy has ended its search for a missing worker who vanished following an explosion at its production platform offshore Louisiana on Friday, the company announced on 20 November.

The Philippine Consulate in Washington, D.C. has confirmed the identity of the sole missing worker as 28-year-old Jerome Malagapo of Danao, Cebu, Philippines. Malagapo was employed by contractor Grand Isle Shipyard. The body of Elroy Corporal, 42, was discovered underneath the platform on Saturday afternoon.

Four other Filipino workers, also employed by Grand Isle Shipyard, remain hospitalized at Baton Rouge General Hospital in Louisiana. Two are listed in critical condition and one remains in serious condition. A fourth worker Wilberto Ilagan continues to improve. The hospital raised his condition to good. Ilagan sustained burns over 35% of his body.

Black Elk Energy said in a statement that the company remains focused on the victims and their families. An official investigation is underway. BSEE began gathering evidence from the production platform on Monday.

There were 22 workers onboard the platform at the time of the explosion on Friday morning, 14 were employees of Grand Isle Shipyard.

In additon to two fatalities, 11 workers were injured on the platform, which is located 18 miles southeast of Grand Isle, Louisiana, in shallow water block West Delta 32. The platform was not producing at the time of the fire, having been previously shut-in due to maintenance work.