Incredible Piper Alpha Incident References. The piper alpha disaster in 1988, in which 167 people died, was caused by a small gas leak which led to the ultimate failure of pipelines under the offshore structure, causing its complete collapse into the north sea. Web late in the evening of 06 july 1988, a series of explosions ripped through the piper alpha platform in the north sea.

The disaster killed 167 people. Web late in the evening of 06 july 1988, a series of explosions ripped through the piper alpha platform in the north sea. In the space of two hours, 167 men lost their lives.