A major fire has broken out on an offshore oil platform in Azerbaijan's waters. While no official casualty count was immediately available, an independent report indicated that the disaster claimed 32 lives.
The ongoing rescue operation is hampered by stormy weather with waves rising up to 11 meters high, Trend news website reported.
The fire started overnight at a rig at the Gunashli field southeast of Neft Daşları (Oil Rocks) settlement. It was caused by strong winds that damaged a gas pipeline on the platform, the Azeri state energy company SOCAR said.