Georgia offers help to Azerbaijan following major oil rig fire

Georgia is saddened by the oil rig fire that claimed the life of at least one worker and left about 30 others missing in its neighbour country Azerbaijan.

Georgia's President Giorgi Margvelashvili had a phone conversation with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev and conveyed his condolences about the tragic incident.

Margvelashvili told Aliyev Georgia was ready to provide help if needed.

Georgia's Prime Minister also expressed his sorrow and said Georgia stood by the side of each and every Azerbaijani national during this difficult time.

Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR said the search was still on for 29 workers missing after a fire swept through an offshore oil platform on late Friday.

One worker was confirmed dead and 33 others were rescued.

SOCAR's first vice president Khoshbakht Yusifzadem said the fire on the Caspian Sea platform was still burning today because it had reached one of the oil wells, but should be extinguished by the end of the day.