A Taqa Bratani worker has died in an accident on the explorer’s Harding platform in the UK North Sea.

The Aberdeen-based division of the Abu Dhabi-owned explorer said that the man had fallen overboard during maintenance activity on the platform at 2.17am on Thursday.

The employee was recovered from the sea by a support vessel and transferred to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Shetland by helicopter.

Taqa Bratani said the man’s next of kin had been informed and that the company was “providing its fullest support to all those involved”.

“Our immediate thoughts are with the family and friends of our colleague at this extremely sad time,” the company said.

All other 108 people on board the Harding platform, which is situated 320 kilometres north-east of Aberdeen, have been accounted for and are safe, Taqa Bratani said.

TAQA is also liaising with police and other relevant authorities to investigate the incident.

Producing since 2006, the Harding platform is operated by the Emirati explorer on a 70% stake since acquiring it from BP in 2012, with partner Maersk of Denmark on 30%.