Mariner Energy Oil Rig Explosion

An oil rig has exploded about 128 kilometres off the coast of Louisiana, throwing 13 people overboard. The Coast Guard has confirmed that all 13 are accounted for and one is injured. They currently await rescue in water immersion suits. The Vermilion Oil Rig 380, which is owned by Houston-based Mariner Energy, was not actively producing any product, but officials could not confirm if there will be any resulting pollution.

Watch the exclusive showing the Oil Rig Explosion Video Here.

UPDATE: An oil sheen the size of 100 feet by one nautical mile (or just under two kilometers) has been reported near the site. All 13 workers from the rig have now been evacuated to another offshore platform. The Coast Guard has said that the fire on the Vermilion Oil Rig has been contained but not yet extinguished.

Labels: cnn, rig explosion, rig explosion gulf of mexico, oil rig explosion, gulf explosion, cnn, oil spill, oil, oil rig, oil explosion

Discovery Channel Hostage Gunman James Lee Dead

James Jay Lee -- the gunman who took hostages today at the Discovery Channel headquarters in Maryland -- has died after being shot by police.

The man who entered the Discovery Channel headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., with a handgun and what appeared to be explosives Wednesday, taking several hostages, is being described in news reports as an “environmental activist.”
Skip to next paragraph

Watch the full video on the hostage taking and killing of James Lee caught on TAPE Here

If so, his ideology is reminiscent of the infamous “Unabomber” – Theodore Kaczynski, now serving life in prison for a series of mail bombings that killed three people and injured 23 others.

The man in the Discovery Channel episode, identified by law enforcement officials as James J. Lee, apparently held beliefs similar to Kaczynski: that human population growth and modern industrial development imperil the planet.

Several hours after the episode began, Mr. Lee reportedly was shot and killed by sniper. Three hostages were released unharmed.

According to police, Lee unsuccessfully spoke with several negotiators during the standoff.

Cops say tactical officers managed to get close to Lee ... and saw him point a handgun at one of the hostages. That's when officers decided to open fire ... killing Lee.