Two crew members on the oil drill ship Valaris DS-17 died on Friday after a hazardous incident aboard the vessel. Reports from Efe, citing the Port Authority, indicate the men entered a gas tank during docking at the Reina Sofia dock in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and were unable to escape. The event drew rapid response teams to the scene as authorities began a formal investigation.
The incident occurred around 14:00 local time and has prompted an active inquiry by the Civil Guard Judicial Police to determine the sequence of events and the factors that led to the tragic outcome. The investigation aims to establish whether any safety protocols were followed and how they may have failed in this situation.
The Canary Emergency Service and local medical responders dispatched a medical ambulance and an additional basic life support ambulance to the location. Unfortunately, medical personnel confirmed the deaths of both workers at the scene, and the investigation into their identities and circumstances continues under the auspices of the Emergency and Security Coordination Center. Government authorities in the Canary Islands provided updates as the case evolves.
Without taking the relevant measures
Early findings from the initial inquiry suggest that the workers accessed the ship’s gas containment area without the recommended safety precautions. The result was fatal before they could exit the space. Rescue crews faced the challenge of securing the area and ensuring no further risk to responders while honoring proper safety procedures.
Fire-fighting units from Palm and surrounding areas were called to assist with the rescue operation. Crew members pulled the victims from the confined space before life-saving measures could be applied, underscoring the critical importance of immediate and effective safety protocols in high-risk work environments.
In a subsequent briefing, the fire service noted that crews took standard precautions to prevent any potential gas leaks from spreading beyond the vessel. The rapid response and established safety drills were part of ongoing efforts to manage the ship’s risk profile during port operations.
According to official accounts, the Port Authority has emphasized that there is currently no confirmed danger of a gas leak affecting the surrounding area. This assurance is contingent on ongoing inspections, including monitoring for any residual gas and validating that containment systems remain intact as responders secure the site.
Regarding the bodies, authorities indicated that autopsy results and the full forensic investigation would be required to determine the exact cause of death and the reasons the workers were within the restricted space. The aim is to clarify whether safety protocols were bypassed or insufficient under the conditions present at the time of the incident.
The Valaris DS-17 is registered under the United States flag, with the Marshall Islands listed in connection to its corporate and operational framework. The ship is designed for ultra-deep-water drilling, a capability that demands strict adherence to safety standards and meticulous procedure compliance during all phases of operation, including docking, gas handling, and crew entry into risk zones.