Borr Drilling, a drilling contractor based in Bermuda, has confirmed the death of three workers following the sinking of the Prospector 5 drilling platform off the coast of Gabon. While 110 out of 115 workers present on the drilling platform have safely returned to shore, search and rescue teams continue their efforts to find the two missing workers.
Incident Details
The incident on the Prospector 5 platform occurred on October 24, 2026, at 20:37 local time. This platform, which was built in 2014, experienced an incident during pre-loading operations that led to a loss of balance and the sinking of the platform.
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At the time of the incident, the Prospector 5 platform was conducting jacking operations off the coast of Gabon to support BW Energy's drilling operations in the Dussafu license. 115 people were present on this platform.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Borr Drilling has confirmed that 110 out of 115 individuals have safely returned to shore and are currently receiving care and support in Gabon. The company continues to provide shelter, care, and support for these workers.
As five individuals are still missing, search and rescue operations continue with the hope of finding these individuals. According to Borr Drilling, the platform owner has been informed that a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) has located the bodies of three individuals.
Recovery efforts are currently underway, and the search for the two individuals who have not yet been found continues. Bruno Mura, CEO of Borr Drilling, has expressed his deep sorrow over this incident and emphasized that the company's immediate priority is to support the families and continue search and rescue efforts.
At the time of the incident, approximately 280 cubic meters of marine diesel fuel were present on the Prospector 5 platform. Borr Drilling has stated that, in coordination with its client and local authorities, resources have been mobilized to mitigate and manage any environmental impact resulting from this incident.
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