LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ten coal barges broke free from their towing vessel Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers along with L&I Railroad are handling the incident. A news release said the barges got free while being towed “up bound” after exiting the McAlpine Lock and Dam. The agencies are working to recover all of the barges.
Of the 10 barges, two of the barges are partially submerged down by the lower dam gates next to the LG&E hydroelectric power plant. The other eight initially were resting on the L&I Railroad Bridge.
Ohio River traffic has not been stopped by the Coast Guard because they say there are no vessels scheduled to be on the river. However, a Special Marine Information Broadcast has been issued to all mariners in the area.
The Coast Guard says no one was hurt in the incident. The cause of the accident is under investigaqtion.
This is a developing story. We will add more details when they become available.