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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Oil platform evacuated in alert | Oil platform evacuated in alert |
| (5 days later) | |
| Hundreds of oil workers are being airlifted from an oil platform in the North Sea following a security alert. | Hundreds of oil workers are being airlifted from an oil platform in the North Sea following a security alert. |
| A total of 539 people are being taken off the Safe Scandinavia accommodation platform in an operation involving 13 helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft. | A total of 539 people are being taken off the Safe Scandinavia accommodation platform in an operation involving 13 helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft. |
| It is understood a bomb disposal team has been sent to the platform, although it has not been confirmed that a device has been found. | It is understood a bomb disposal team has been sent to the platform, although it has not been confirmed that a device has been found. |
| The operation, 130 miles off the Aberdeen coast, began at 0920 GMT. | The operation, 130 miles off the Aberdeen coast, began at 0920 GMT. |
| A spokesman for Aberdeen Coastguard said it was a "large scale" alert and that two platforms were involved, but that just one was being evacuated. | A spokesman for Aberdeen Coastguard said it was a "large scale" alert and that two platforms were involved, but that just one was being evacuated. |
| The workers are being transported to rigs in the area. | The workers are being transported to rigs in the area. |
| 'Unusual incident' | 'Unusual incident' |
| Britannia Operator Limited, which owns the platform, confirmed that reports were being investigated of an incident involving the Flotel Safe Scandinavia. | Britannia Operator Limited, which owns the platform, confirmed that reports were being investigated of an incident involving the Flotel Safe Scandinavia. |
| It said the relevant emergency authorities had been alerted and a company response team was assisting in the co-ordination of support services. | It said the relevant emergency authorities had been alerted and a company response team was assisting in the co-ordination of support services. |
| The company added that it was doing everything possible to resolve the situation. | The company added that it was doing everything possible to resolve the situation. |
| The Ministry of Defence said five RAF helicopters were involved in the operation, along with coastguard aircraft. | The Ministry of Defence said five RAF helicopters were involved in the operation, along with coastguard aircraft. |
| Squadron leader Barry Neilson, from RAF Kinloss, said of the incident: "It's unusual, that's probably the best way to describe it. | Squadron leader Barry Neilson, from RAF Kinloss, said of the incident: "It's unusual, that's probably the best way to describe it. |
| "But it falls within our normal operating procedures and we are reacting accordingly." | "But it falls within our normal operating procedures and we are reacting accordingly." |
| Mr Neilson said that there was a report of a woman on the platform who had sparked the incident, but he could not go into details at this stage. | Mr Neilson said that there was a report of a woman on the platform who had sparked the incident, but he could not go into details at this stage. |
| The Press Association reported that a "device" had been found on board. | The Press Association reported that a "device" had been found on board. |
| However, Mr Neilson said "we are not sure about a device". | However, Mr Neilson said "we are not sure about a device". |
| Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill was being kept informed about the operation. | Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill was being kept informed about the operation. |
| A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "A Scottish Government civil contingencies official is based in the Grampian Police control room, and the justice secretary is being regularly kept appraised of developments. | |
| "There are well established procedures for dealing with incidents in the North Sea, and these are operating efficiently and effectively." | "There are well established procedures for dealing with incidents in the North Sea, and these are operating efficiently and effectively." |