Barge Collision on Mississippi River
LAPLACE, La. (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard says an oil tanker barge collided with another barge on the Mississippi, spilling oil and leading officials to close a five-mile stretch of the river.
Officials say the collision happened around 2 a.m. Friday about 50 miles upriver from New Orleans. The wreck tore a gash into the double-hulled tank of the tanker barge, which was being pushed by a tugboat.
Chief Petty Officer John Edwards says neither vessel sank and no one was hurt. He says the leak has been contained, and the Coast Guard is trying to determine how much oil spilled.
A cleanup company has been hired to deal with the spill.
St. Charles Parish shut down both of its water intakes from the river, though officials say there is no threat to the public.
Related Stories
- Judge Hears Details of Gulf Oil Spill Settlement
- Gulf Oil Spill Trial Delayed for Settlement Talks
- B-P Oil Spill Lawsuit
- Oil Spill on SE 17th St. in Ocala, Traffic Temporarily Detoured
- Oil Spill Could Reach Fla. Beaches In Coming Days
- The Oil Spill in the Gulf Isn't Directly Affecting North Central Florida...Yet.
- Oil Spill Could Reach Cedar Key; Clamming Business May Be Forced to Shut Down
- Contaminated Seafood A Growing Concern After BP Oil Spill
- 9th graders on the Gulf Oil Spill
- Cedar Key Not Worried About Gulf Oil Spill
