The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has shut off the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans after a ship collision led to oil spilling into the river.
A report about a fuel leak from the cargo ship, Singapore-flagged Pac Antares, came in after it hit a pier at around 10:30 am on April 12, 2018, closing more than 16 kilometres of the route off to 12 commercial vessels that were already on the river.
The USCG assisted the Pac Antares by mooring it at Nashville Avenue Wharf in New Orleans, plugging the leak by 1:20 pm.
There are no reports of injuries, and the potential scale of the pollution is still being determined.
A private fuel spill company has been attempting to contain the oil.
Authorities have not issued a warning about the pollution being a danger to public health.
The U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring the oil spill on the Mississippi River. Right now the Algiers Ferry is closed. Those out by the river say the smell from the spill is strong. At 5, we’ll speak with tourists and residents about the leak as they enjoy FQ fest. @WWLTV pic.twitter.com/ZH6q2w2FxT
— Caresse Jackman (@CaresseJ) April 12, 2018
Diesel fuel / oil spill visible along Mississippi River near French Quarter Fest in New Orleans: https://t.co/5OSZyvlrVD pic.twitter.com/pBUz9N9Bjv
— Sierra Club (@SierraClub) April 12, 2018
