One person has died and two others have been injured following a crane collapse at the Barbara F platform off the coast of Ancona in Italy run by Eni.
The crane was operational when it collapsed from the methane gas extraction platform 60km from Ancona and hit a supply vessel with two people on board.
Offshore Energy Today reported that the crane on the Barbara F platform plummeted into the sea with the operator in the cabin after it broke away from the main structure.
The oil and gas major Eni was quoted by Reuters as saying in a statement that the body of the crane operator had been identified inside the cabin on the seabed near the offshore platform.
Eni said: “Eni expresses its profound condolences to the family of the colleague. Eni immediately launched checks to shed light on the dynamics of the accident.”
The submerged crane cab remains suspended by cables from the platform structure.
Eni added that it was working with authorities to determine the cause of the incident.
The company is working with the coastguard, the port authorities and the fire brigades and supporting them in the work for the safety of the area.
Coastguard rear admiral Enrico Moretti told Sky TG24 TV that the crane had been loading a 7t canister when the incident occurred.
Following the collapse, the two injured people were taken to a hospital. One was out of intensive care, while the other was still receiving medical care, sources said.
