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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Serious' blaze on oil platform | 'Serious' blaze on oil platform |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A major rescue operation is under way after a "very serious" fire broke out on a North Sea platform with 159 people on board. | |
| Seven helicopters were scrambled to the Thistle Alpha after smoke and flames were seen at 0830 GMT on Sunday. | Seven helicopters were scrambled to the Thistle Alpha after smoke and flames were seen at 0830 GMT on Sunday. |
| A spokesman for RAF Kinloss said the incident was being treated "very seriously" but added there were currently no reports of casualties. | A spokesman for RAF Kinloss said the incident was being treated "very seriously" but added there were currently no reports of casualties. |
| The Thistle Alpha is 120 miles north east of Sumburgh in Shetland. | The Thistle Alpha is 120 miles north east of Sumburgh in Shetland. |
| The first 44 crew members were evacuated shortly before 1000 GMT, with a further 50 following about half and hour later. | |
| The next couple of hours will be the critical time for this operation Michael MulfordRAF Kinloss | |
| The entire crew is due to be taken from the platform later, although it is understood those still on board were beginning to bring the situation under control. | |
| Helicopters from the RAF, coastguard and other platforms in the area were sent to the scene along with two Norwegian helicopters. A Nimrod aircraft was also scrambled from RAF Kinloss to co-ordinate the operation. | |
| The platform is operated by Swedish-based Lundin Petroleum, which is involved in oil exploration and production across the globe. | The platform is operated by Swedish-based Lundin Petroleum, which is involved in oil exploration and production across the globe. |
| Michael Mulford of RAF Kinloss said he believed the Norwegian helicopters, which were the first to arrive, had been able to land on the platform itself to pick up crew members. | |
| He said it was "quite unusual" for a full evacuation to be ordered so quickly. | |
| Mr Mulford added: "Normally what they will try and do is take off non-essential staff first but they have gone for a fairly major airlift from the first moment. | |
| "The plan is for the helicopters to lift these guys to three neighbouring platforms five or six miles away." | |
| He said the Thistle oil field was "just about as remote as it gets - about five or six miles inside the UK search and rescue region". | |
| Weather conditions in the area have been described as "not great", with strong north westerly winds and "reasonable" visibility. | |
| "The next couple of hours will be the critical time for this operation", Mr Mulford said. | |
| "Ideally you don't want people in the water itself. If they take to the rescue boats that is a different matter but by the sound of it the two Norwegian helicopters have managed to get to the platform itself." | |
| A spokeswoman for Petrofac, an international service provider to the oil and gas industry, said: "Petrofac as duty holders of the Thistle Alphainstallation, on behalf of Lundin Britain Ltd, can confirm that it is currentlyinvestigating an incident involving this installation. | |
| "As a precautionary measure the appropriate emergency procedures have been activated and the relevant authorities have been notified." |