Tanker accident causes oil spill in Mississippi river

17 February 2012 17:30  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--An oil tanker collided with a construction barge in the early morning on Friday, spilling oil and forcing the closure of a five-mile stretch of the Mississippi river about 50 miles up river from New Orleans, Louisiana, the US Coast Guard (USCG) said.

USCG Lt Sue Kerver said the source of the leak has been secured, and no more oil is spilling into the river. No injuries were reported.

The accident happened in a section of the river lined with refineries and chemical plants, Kerver added.

She said the USCG and other officials are working to find out how much oil has been spilled.

Kerver could not say how long the section of the river will be closed. She did not know of any alternate routes.

“There is aggressive working being done to clean up and investigate the incident,” Kerver said. “Our main priority right now is safety.”

She said the accident has left six vessels in cue on the Mississippi river, four going down river and two moving up.

By: Bobbie Clark
+1 713 525 2653

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