As search and rescue crews continue to comb the waters off the coast of Gabon for five missing personnel following the sinking of a 2014-built jack-up rig, Bermuda-headquartered offshore drilling contractor Borr Drilling has confirmed that 110 of the 115 people on board have been safely accounted for and brought ashore, while assuring that a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident will be conducted to determine how this tragedy unfolded.
The rig owner’s 2014-built Prospector 5 rig experienced a punch through event at approximately 20:37 local time on October 24, 2026, during preload activities, resulting in loss of stability and the subsequent sinking of the rig, based on preliminary information.
The rig was conducting jacking operations offshore Gabon at the time of the incident in preparation for a planned campaign to support BW Energy's drilling operations at the Dussafu license.
In an update on October 26, Borr Drilling emphasized that out of the 115 personnel on board during the rig incident, 110 were safe and accounted for. These workers are being brought ashore in Gabon, where care and support is being provided.
“Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the five individuals who remain unaccounted for. The company is in contact with the families of the missing personnel,” added the rig owner.
Borr Drilling highlights that its onshore emergency response team continues to work with local authorities and BW Energy to respond to the incident, support those affected, and continue to search for missing personnel, as extensive marine and air search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
The firm underlined: “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.”