AmericasOperations

Three ships hit by runaway barges on Mississippi River

Part of the Mississippi River was closed on Wednesday after a 22-barge breakaway which saw some of the barges run into at least three deep-drafted vessels.

The barges were carrying coal and petroleum coke while the struck vessels had various loads when the accidents happened near West Point a la Hache in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. One of the vessels shed some of its cargo of soy beans.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) closed the river between the 51- and 54-mile markers as it attempted to account for all the barges.

All three of the other ships were safely anchored. No injuries or polluting leaks were reported.

USCG said it is investigating the cause of the incident.

Donal Scully

With 28 years experience writing and editing for newspapers in the UK and Hong Kong, Donal is now based in California from where he covers the Americas for Splash as well as ensuring the site is loaded through the Western Hemisphere timezone.
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