Brazil's state oil company Petrobras is trying to prevent 400,000 gallons of crude oil and diesel fuel from spilling into the sea.
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A view of the oil rig which sank earlier today
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The 40-storey rig, 75 miles off the Brazilian coast, was severely damaged last Thursday by explosions and fire that killed at least two workers. Eight others are missing, presumed dead.
The explosion knocked out a supporting pillar and the platform tilted and sank slowly into the sea off the coast of Macae, 120 miles north-east of Rio.
Over the weekend, a team of navy divers, engineers and foreign consultants injected nitrogen into flooded compartments, partly righting it, Petrobras said.
But high winds and rough seas hindered efforts yesterday. Petrobras said the platform shifted suddenly early today and workers gave up trying to save it.
PA