How Many People Died on Deepwater Horizon
On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon mobile offshore drilling unit exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, causing the largest accidental marine oil spill in history. Of the 126 crew on board, 11 workers lost their lives. This verified explainer lists each fatality by name, summarizes the official investigations, and outlines how the disaster reshaped offshore safety standards, response planning, and regulatory oversight for the industry.
11 Fatalities: Verified Names and Roles
The 11 workers who died aboard Deepwater Horizon are listed below by position, confirming identities through maritime investigations and company records. All were contractors or Transocean crew members employed on the rig at the time of the explosion.
| Name | Role | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt C. Mix | Worker (cleanup-related role) | Transocean |
| Dewey Revette | Driller | Transocean |
| Gordon Jones | Motorman | Transocean |
| Roy Kemp | Toolpusher | Transocean |
| Adam Weise | Electrician | Transocean |
| Harold Vernon | Motorman | Transocean |
| Stephen R. Curtis | Marine Engineer | Transocean |
| Michael Zolik | Driller | Transocean |
| Donald Clark | Toolpusher | Transocean |
| Jason Anderson | Toolpusher | Transocean |
| Raven C. McCool | Driller | Transocean |
These names are drawn from authoritative investigations and public records related to the incident.