STOCKHOLM (Sputnik) — A total of 235 people have been evacuated from BP's platforms in the Vallhall oilfield in the North Sea due to a hundred-meter barge drifting uncontrolled in the sea, without a crew on board, local media reported Thursday.
"The ferry is moving toward Vallhall. The platforms are currently being fully evacuated and all works have been suspended since 10 a.m. (9:00 GMT)," BP Norge spokesman Jan-Erik Geirmo was quoted as saying by VG. The barge may hit the Vallhall platforms in two or three hours, he added.
"The work is still underway to stop the barge. They are now trying to reconnect the tow that tore, and if that fails, there is equipment to attach a harpoon," Ben Vikoren of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Southern Norway was quoted as saying by the Norwegian NRK broadcaster.
According to the Norwegian VG newspaper, the Eide Barge 33, owned by the Norwegian Eide Marine Services shipping company, became detached on Wednesday evening during rough weather.
