Rig explodes off Gulf Coast

An OFFSHORE petroleum platform exploded and was burning last night in the Gulf of Mexico about 80 miles off the Louisiana coast, west of the site where BP's well spilled after a rig explosion.

The Coast Guard said no-one was killed in the blast. All 13 people aboard have been accounted for, with one injury. Guard commander Cheri Ben-Iesau said some from the rig were spotted in emergency flotation devices.

The Department of Homeland Security said the platform was in about 2,500ft (750m) of water and was owned by Mariner Energy of Houston.