Up to 2,000 Gallons of Oil May Spill into Gulf of Mexico After Barge Hits USA Bridge

Photo : AP

Houston: An estimated 2,000 gallons of oil may have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico following a bunker barge's collision with a bridge in Galveston, eastern Texas, according to the US Coast Guard. The barge, measuring 321 feet, was carrying 23,000 barrels, equivalent to nearly 966,000 gallons, when it struck a pillar of the Pelican Island Causeway bridge.

The Coast Guard swiftly responded to contain the source of the leakage after the incident. They deployed planes and drones to assess the extent of the oil spill while closing approximately 6.5 miles along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, a crucial shipping channel for the region.

"We're pretty confident there was much less oil introduced to the water than we initially estimated," stated Coast Guard Captain Keith Donohue during a news conference. Over 605 gallons of oily water mixture were recovered from the environment, along with an additional 5,640 gallons of oil product from the top of the barge, averting further spillage into the water.

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According to Rick Freed, vice president of barge operator Martin Marine, the barge, with a capacity of 30,000 barrels of oil, was carrying 23,000 barrels when the collision occurred. The incident was attributed to a tugboat losing control of two barges due to a coupling break, resulting in one barge colliding with the bridge.

The bridge sustained partial collapse, prompting the closure of the sole land connection from Galveston to Pelican Island. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Joseph Gordon of ocean conservation group Oceana expressed concerns over the environmental impact, emphasizing the detrimental effects on coastal communities, wildlife, and waters.

Despite the severity of the spill, Texas Tech University professor Danny Reible believes the long-term consequences will likely be minimal given the volume of oil on board the barge.

This incident follows closely after a cargo ship collision with the Francis Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, which tragically claimed six lives.

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