Three barges, one carrying 1,400 tons of toxic methanol, were accidentally released and got stuck in the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky, raising concerns for another health hazard for the people in the wider area.
Local authorities said the accident happened when the three barges—part of a group of eleven—escaped from their tugboat after the boat hit a structure at the entrance to the Portland Canal near the river’s McAlpine Locks and Dam.
“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,” according to a news release….