ALERT: Barge Carrying 1,400 Tons of Toxic Material Submerged in Ohio River

Residents who live along the Ohio River already had to worry about the East Palestine train derailment and release of vinyl chloride.

On Tuesday, another major incident occurred along the waterway.

Multiple emergency teams responded to a submerged barge carrying 1,400 tons of toxic methanol.

The “navigational incident” reportedly happened near Louisville, Kentucky.

It’s currently unknown if the barge has leaked any material.

Here’s footage:

🚨#BREAKING: Multiple Emergency Response Teams has been Deployed to Address Submerged Barge Carrying 1,400 Tons of Toxic Methanol in the Ohio River

📌#Louisville | #Kentucky
⁰A major incident has taken place in the Ohio River near Louisville, Kentucky, requiring multiple… pic.twitter.com/swXQD8c5Zk

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 29, 2023

JUST IN – Several barges, one containing 1,400 tons of methanol, loose on the Ohio River near Louisville pic.twitter.com/EeeQpQFBF0

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 28, 2023

🚨 #BREAKING: Kentucky EEC Emergency Response Team (ERT) is on the scene of a crashed barge carrying 1,400 tons of toxic methanol that is submerged in the Ohio River.

Methanol is HIGHLY toxic and completely mixes with water. Municipal water intakes are just miles downstream. pic.twitter.com/0kUlgSXwxh

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 28, 2023

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released this statement:

The lock chambers at McAlpine Locks and Dam (Ohio River mile 606.8) in Louisville, Kentucky, are closed to traffic due to a navigation accident, which occurred approximately at 2 a.m. EDT on March 28. There are no injuries reported and all personnel are accounted for.

Three barges are pinned against the lower dam site, one barge is pinned against the Louisville and Indiana bridge pier and all other barges were recovered by other vessels in the local area. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, navigation industry and marine surveyors to start the recovery efforts of the remaining barges. The locks will remain closed until the barges on the dam are stabilized.

All mariners should take direction from the lock operators at McAlpine Locks and Dam.

USACE will continue to coordinate closely with the USCG and the towing industry during this temporary closure.

Emergency Response Team (ERT) at a barge incident on the Ohio River in Lville. 10 of 11 barges are loose from the tug. One carrying 1400 tons of methanol partially submerged at McAlpine Dam. Nearest water intake is in Henderson. @USCG @kyfishwildlife @ORSANCOchannel pic.twitter.com/qyWJZkTYGg

— Kentucky EEC (@KentuckyEEC) March 28, 2023

ABC News reported:

The closest water intake on the Ohio River from the affected dam is in Henderson, Kentucky — more than 100 miles away from Louisville, according to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.

“There is no impact to Louisville Water’s water intake or water quality,” the utility company wrote in a tweet. “Your water is safe to drink.”

No one was injured in the incident.

Accumulations of methanol vapors in confined spaces can be explosive if ignited, according to the National Institutes of Health.

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