Three killed in oil field maintenance accident

Three workmen died in an offshore oil field accident on Saturday, the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Co (ADMA-OPCO) said yesterday. The workers sustained severe injuries and died on the way to hospital.

They were carrying out maintenance at a power generation barge at Umm Shaif Field, north of Zirku Island. It is believed that a fuel tank on the barge exploded while the workers were using welding equipment, but this could not be confirmed officially. According to ADMA-OPCO, the incident occurred at 8.30am on Saturday.

"This unfortunate incident resulted in three people being seriously injured. They were declared dead on arrival at hospital," said an ADMA-OPCO statement. When contacted, the oil company refused to give further details. But it said the workers were employees of another sub-contracting firm, National Petroleum Construction Co (NPCC).

The company confirmed that no other workers were injured in the incident. ADMA-OPCO said an inquiry into the cause of the accident has begun. NPCC officials were not available yesterday to comment.