A tugboat collided with a tanker in the Mississippi River in Louisiana on Sunday night and the tugboat sank. However, luckily all the crew on the tugboat escaped unharmed.
Details of the accident:-
According to St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne, a tanker and a tugboat collided overnight near the Halle Boggs Memorial Bridge. The incident was reported to his office late at night.
“According to initial reports, all crew on the tugboat have been safely evacuated,” Champagne said in a Facebook post around 10 p.m.
Tanker collision and tugboat sinking:-
Local news station WWL-TV reported that the tanker was traveling upstream when it collided with the tugboat. In this collision, the tugboat sank in the river. Fortunately, rescue operations were started immediately after the accident and all the employees were rescued.
Medical examination and assistance:-
The rescued employees were examined by the emergency medical team. Any of them will be sent to a hospital if needed, the sheriff’s office explained.
US Coast Guard role:-
The US Coast Guard’s 8th District Office in New Orleans, also known as the “Coast Guard Heartland,” dispatched personnel to the crash site. However, before their arrival, the employees who had fallen into the river were rescued.
Environmental impact will be studied:-
Luling, about 23 miles (37 kilometers) from New Orleans, will study the environmental impact of the crash site, the Coast Guard said.
Post-accident situation:-
An investigation is currently underway to find out the exact cause behind the accident. It is also looking into whether the accident has affected shipping on the Mississippi River.
The administration and employees have expressed great relief as no loss of life was avoided in this accident. If there is any more environmental damage, measures will be taken for it, the administration clarified.
