A gas platform has keeled over and sunk in the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela just a week after it was inaugurated by the Venezuelan energy minister.

The Aban Pearl was being used to extract offshore gas for Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA.

According to Venezuela’s energy and oil minister Rafael Ramirez, the accident poses no environmental threat as all gas valves have been secured. All 95 workers were evacuated from the rig before it sank in the early hours of yesterday.

News of the sinking was broken by Venezuela’s president Chavez via Twitter. He wrote: “I’m afraid to inform you that gas platform Aban Pearl sank a few moments ago. The good news is that 95 workers are safe.”