A mile-long slick was spreading from an oil platform ablaze in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, the Coast Guard said, citing a report from rig workers who jumped into the sea to safety.
The workers told rescue crews that the slick was about 10 feet wide but hoped that no more oil would leak into the sea, Chief Warrant Officer Barry Lane said.
"It was relayed to us by the survivors that they were able to initiate shutdown procedures before they abandoned ship," he said.
"We've been told that the fire is contained but not out."
The Coast Guard has sent cutters and helicopters to the area, some 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of Vermilion Bay in Louisiana, but has not yet been able to assess the condition of the rig or how much oil has escaped.
All 13 workers aboard the platform when it caught fire at 9:19 am (1419 GMT) managed to escape and are being transported to an area hospital.
Lane did not have an update on their conditions but one of the workers had been reported injured.
{{/usCountry}}Lane did not have an update on their conditions but one of the workers had been reported injured.
{{/usCountry}}