One Of Two Missing Filipino Platform Workers Identified

The name of a missing worker killed in Friday's offshore explosion in the Gulf of Mexico has been identified as 42-year-old Elroy Corporal, a Philippine national.

The man's identity was released from the Philippine embassy in Washington, D.C. They say they are also holding out hope another Filipino worker still missing will be found alive.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Ed Cubanski says there were 22 workers on the platform when it caught on fire around 8:42 a.m. Friday. The owner of the platform, Black Elk Energy, says dive boats contracted by the company are out and Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's deputies are checking beaches. The Coast Guard called off its own search Saturday.

Four other workers who were seriously hurt are now said to be recovering at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center. Doctors say one of the four burned men, identified as 50-year-old Wilberto Illagan, has improved from critical condition to "good" condition, while two others remain in critical condition and the fourth worker is in serious condition.

The four injured men are from the Philippines and are emplyed by Grand Isle Shipyard. Philippines Ambassador Jose Cuisia is with the injured men in Baton Rouge.

The platform is about 25 miles southeast of Grand Isle, La.