Environment polluted as US oil platform sinks

A US oil platform which has burned for more than a day after a massive explosion has sunk into the Gulf of Mexico, risking a major oil spill there. The chances that the 11 workers still missing can survive, are fading.

The sinking of the Deepwater Horizon, could unleash more than 300 thousand of gallons of crude oil a day into the sea. The environmental hazards would be greatest if the spill reaches the Louisana coast.

Meanwhile, crews are searching by air and sea for the missing workers. The US Coast Guard has found two empty lifeboats. More than 100 workers escaped the explosion and fire, but four were critically injured.

This image provided by the U.S. Coast Guard shows fire boat response crews battle the blazing remnants of the off shore oil rig Deepwater Horizon Wednesday April 21, 2010. (AP Photo/US Coast Guard)