An explosion in a Gulf Of Mexico oil rig has so far reported 11 missing and seven critically injured, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The explosion was reported around 10 PM local time on the Deepwater Horizon, an oil rig located 52 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana. The Coast Guard said it sent four cutters to the rig and helicopters from its New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile,  Alabama bases to rescue the rig's crew.  Many were hospitalized, with to taken to  mobile trauma center.

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The owner of the rig, Transocean Ltd., made a statement about the incident, claiming that most of the crew was safe but that some crew members remain missing.

"A substantial majority of the 126-member crew is safe, but some crew members remain unaccounted for at this time," Transocean said in a statment.

Transocean said that the names and hometowns of the injured and missing would be withheld until family members can be notified.