Gas-drilling platform blows up off Texas coast

By With Analysis from Monitor Correspondents around the world; Edited by Ruth Walker

March 25, 1980

Galveston, Texas

An offshore gas-drilling platform about 100 miles off the Texas coast blew out and burst into flames early Monday, forcing its 42-man crew to evacuate. The Coast Guard said two men were killed and at least three others were missing; 29 more were injured. The cause of the accident could not immediately be determined.