Obama to meet families of 11 killed in Gulf spill

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is meeting Thursday with relatives of the 11 workers killed in the Gulf of Mexico oil rig explosion that set off the worst environmental disaster in the nation's history.

The family members were meeting the president at the White House, where he was to offer his condolences for their losses. The drilling rig that was being leased by BP PLC blew up April 20 and sank two days later. The bodies of the 11 workers never were found.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says the president also wants to hear the families' thoughts on safety conditions and changes the government could make to ensure that future deepwater oil drilling is safe.

The BP spill has released millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf.