MSNBC reports that the containment cap has been removed from the well, accelerating the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico:
WASHINGTON - Oil was again gushing uncontrollably from the BP spill site on Wednesday after the company was forced to remove the containment cap when a robotic submarine hit a vent. The news came as officials also reported two deaths of workers in the response effort.
BP hoped to reinstall the cap later Wednesday after fixing the vent and checking for safety.
Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said the accident sent gas rising through a vent that carries warm water down to prevent ice-like crystals from forming in the cap.
MSNBC is also reporting the deaths of two cleanup workers. A closer read of the article reveals that their deaths are unrelated to their cleanup duties.
The deaths reported Wednesday were not tied to the containment operation. The Coast Guard said the workers had been involved in cleanup operations did that their deaths did not appear to be work related.
One death was a boat captain who died of a gunshot wound, a Coast Guard spokesman said. Further details were not immediately available.
I'll update this with more information as it becomes available.
