Transcript for July 9, 1988: Piper Alpha oil rig explosion leaves 167 dead

Authorities say it will be days before they can contain the fire that still raging aboard the North Sea oil rig that exploded three days ago. Killing 166. Workers. And in the wake of the disaster comes serious charges of safety problems as bill Greenwood reports. The oil rig is still burning and the danger of additional explosions is so great that British officials declared a ten mile safety zone around the facility. But many workers see what's really needed our safety improvements on board the British platforms. Survivors saw colleagues die because the only escape from piper alpha was a hundred foot jump to acquire a few. Who will he sing. Objects on the way down. There's a law did three. And flames Florence awards. He's just he's just come on its. Fireproof escape chutes like this when are required on Norwegian oil rigs and crew quarters must be located away from danger areas. On the British platform the sleeping module was directly above a gas compressor which exploded. And critics blame the British government which has only eight inspectors to police 123. Offshore facilities. Bill Greenwood ABC news London.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.