Singapore oil rig accident injures 90 workers

Part of a jackup oil rig gave way at a shipyard in Singapore on Monday leaving 90 workers injured, one critically and 22 seriously. The accident occurred at the Jurong Shipyard which is owned by the world's second-largest rig builder Sembcorp Marine Ltd. Sembcorp said in a statement that preliminary findings show that the braking mechanism on one of the legs of the three-legged jackup rig had failed, causing the rig to tilt to one side.
Workers scrambled for safety after the collapse with some even jumping into the sea to escape. All work has been stopped on the tilting rig. Sembcorp Marine said that the accident occurred during a test at a rig under construction.
A jackup oil rig is a floating barge fitted with long support legs that can be raised or lowered into place. Once the legs are in place, the jacking system can move the entire barge above the water to a predetermined height. SOURCE: Reuters, Asia One