Fire Erupts on Oil Platform in Adriatic Sea, Prompting Evacuations
Italian authorities confirmed on Wednesday that 26 individuals were safely evacuated after a fire broke out on an oil platform located in the Adriatic Sea. Fortunately, no injuries or environmental contamination have been reported.
Photos released depicted smoke rising from the Rospo Mare B platform, operated by the UK-based energy firm Energean, although no visible flames were present.
In an official statement, the coastguard described the ongoing response as a “complex operation” aimed at managing the fire and mitigating risks. “There are no reports of injuries or evidence of pollution in the surrounding waters,” the statement emphasized.
As a safety measure, the 26 individuals were evacuated from the platform affected by the fire, along with nearby platforms that were cleared as a precautionary step.
The emergency operation involved air and sea units, including vessels from the coastguard, navy, and fire services. Efforts focused on extinguishing the fire, containing potential hazards, and monitoring for any environmental impacts.
The Rospo Mare oil field is situated roughly 20 kilometers (12 miles) off the coast of Italy’s Abruzzo region in waters approximately 80 meters deep. Energean, a company with origins in Greece, manages the facility, which has been operational since 1982. The site comprises three platforms and a floating storage and offloading vessel used for temporary storage of extracted oil.
Photo credit: TeleRegione TV. All rights reserved.