BP pledges to clean up Gulf of Mexico spill

LONDON – LONDON (AP) — BP PLC says it is doing everything it can to contain an oil spill from the drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico that exploded into flames before sinking.

The British oil major said Friday it has "activated an extensive oil spill response," including using remotely operated vehicles to assess the subsea well and 32 vessels to mop up the spill.

BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward says the company will do "everything in our power to contain this oil spill and resolve the situation as rapidly, safely and effectively as possible." He says the company can call on more resources if needed.

BP leased the Deepwater Horizon rig, 130 miles (209 kilometers) southeast of New Orleans, from owner Transocean Ltd.

Eleven of the rig's 111 crew members are missing.