Horrifying footage shows moment huge oil rig sinks into the ocean with 115 on board

Frightening footage captured the moment that an oil rig with 115 people on board sank off the coast of Gabon.

Five people are still missing following the horror incident on Saturday (24 October), which resulted in the Prospector 5 platform slumping beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

Videos by horrified bystanders showed how the 231ft long and 250ft wide drilling rig started to slip below the waves over the weekend.

In its latest update shared on Monday (26 October), Borr Drilling Limited, who own and operate Prospector 5, said that 110 employees are 'safe and accounted for' and have been brought ashore, where 'care and support is being provided' - but some are still missing.

According to Borr, chaos erupted on the Prospector 5 at 8.37pm local time on Saturday night while the crew were conducting jacking operations 'in preparation for a planned drilling campaign'.

Chilling footage that captured the Prospector 5, which was situated close to the coastal town of Mayumba, sinking into the water under a cloak of darkness has been circulating on social media.

The video was taken by people who were on board a vessel that was close by.

Initial findings suggest that 'the rig experienced a punch-through event during preload activities, resulting in loss of stability and the subsequent sinking of the rig'.

As the Australian Geomechanics Society explains, a punch-through refers to a situation 'whereby one or more legs of the jack-up barge penetrate into the seabed without warning, having previously been supported'.

Latest statement on the tragedy

Borr said that teams are still frantically working to find five individuals who disappeared when the oil and gas rig suddenly sank.

"Extensive marine and air search and rescue operations remain ongoing," it said. "The company is working with its partners and authorities to ensure a robust investigation is carried out into the cause of the incident; however, the immediate and overriding priority remains the ongoing search and rescue efforts and doing everything possible to assist the authorities and specialists leading these operations to locate the missing individuals and support those safely accounted for."

It told family members seeking information and assistance to contact +44 (0)1224 087026.

Gabon’s Ministry of Petroleum and Gas has deployed a crisis unit to assist with the search operation, along with the Navy.

Teams have also been sent out to sea to tackle potential pollution and protect the coastline following the sinking of Prospector 5.

"We are deeply concerned for those who remain unaccounted for and everyone affected by this incident," Bruno Morand, the chief executive of Borr, said.

"Our immediate priority is supporting the ongoing search and rescue efforts and the welfare of all personnel involved."

Panoro Energy, which holds a working interest in Prospector 5, issued a statement explaining production at the nearby MaBoMo facility has been shut down, which is standard procedure during ongoing drilling preparations.

It claimed that there are no reports of any 'harmful substances' polluting the ocean.

The statement said: "The Company’s thoughts and prayers are with the five people who remain missing and with their families, friends and colleagues at this deeply distressing time.

"Panoro stands alongside the rig owner, the operator and the emergency responders in their efforts, and expresses its sincere gratitude and full solidarity with all those involved in the search and rescue operations.

"Production at the MaBoMo facility is shut down in accordance with standard procedure during ongoing drilling preparations. There has been no reported damage to the facility or related equipment, nor any accidental discharge of harmful substances to the sea from the facility."