Three people were killed and three others were missing after an offshore natural gas pipeline exploded when a tug pushing two barges struck it on Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The tug and barges hit the gas line at about 12:30 p.m. in West Cote Blanche Bay, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) southwest of New Orleans, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Nyx Cangemi. The fire was out about two hours later, he said.
Gulfport Energy Corp. said the accident involved two contracted vessels doing work for the company in a large energy field. The company said all its employees were accounted for, but that it was still trying to get information on its contract workers.