A major fire on a gas platform operated by Chevron in the Angolan province of Cabinda in the early hours of Tuesday left several people seriously injured and they had to be taken to the capital, Luanda, for treatment.

According to local media, the explosions began at around 3am on the platform and so far 17 victims have been accounted for, with no deaths reported.

The Angolan National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANGP) said that the explosion occurred during a periodic maintenance operation.

"The fire occurred on the basement deck of CABGOC's Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco (BBLT) deep-water platform, located in Block 14, in the maritime area of Cabinda," he said.