Updated: Oil platform explosion in the Gulf

An oil platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico about 80 miles of the coast of Louisiana. It is not known what caused the explosion.

An oil platform explosion occurred on Vermillion Oil 380 in the Gulf of Mexico, about 80 miles off the coast of Louisiana. The structure is not a drilling rig, but a platform, USA Today reports. There were 13 people on the rig. The platform is still burning, but all 13 people are accounted for. The Coast Guard has sent helicopters and airplanes out to the location of the blast. According to U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Bill Colclough, the 13 people were in the water awaiting rescue while the platform is still on fire. "We don't know what caused the rig to catch on fire," he told CNN, noting the incident is under investigation. Colclough said "there are reports the rig was not actively producing any product, so we don't know if there's any risk of pollution." UPDATE: Oil sheen has been spotted around the site of the oil rig explosion, according to the company that owns the rig. It is uncertain what the status is of the leak and the situation is currently being evaluated.