Fear spread yesterday afternoon on the "Rospo Mare" oil platform off the coast of Molise, where a fire broke out at 2 p.m. The Energean firm, which controls the plant, sounded the alert, prompting the rescue operation. The flames, which started in a containment tank on platform B, were kept under control thanks to the integrated fire-fighting system and the early involvement of the firefighters, who arrived on the scene onboard a patrol boat of the Termoli Coast Guard (Campobasso). Fortunately, the fire was quickly contained with no injuries. A platform boat was used to evacuate and rescue the 19 workers that were present at the plant. To assess potential damage and prevent contamination risks, two Coast Guard ships and two aircraft from Vasto and Ortona, as well as a tugboat and an anti-pollution vessel, were deployed. The cleanup operations have already commenced, and the appropriate authorities have launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the catastrophe.