A three-mile part of the Mississippi River was closed Wednesday after 22 barges broke free, a few of them hitting different vessels earlier than they had been introduced below management or got here to relaxation.

The incident occurred at mile marker 54 on the Mississippi River close to West Pointe a la Hache in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana on Wednesday.

The 22 barges had been all loaded with coal and petroleum coke, a coal like substance.

The Coast Guard mentioned Wednesday that three deep-draft motor vessels transiting the river – Q Jake, Serena P and Ocean Tomo – sustained harm after colliding with a couple of of the barges. A portion of dry-bulk soy beans from one of many vessels entered the river and the discharge has since been secured. The three vessels concerned within the collisions have been safely anchored.

The Coast Guard closed the Mississippi River between mile markers 51 to 54 starting at 12:58 p.m. Wednesday. As of Thursday the river remained closed from mile marker 50 to 53.

All however one of many barges has been accounted for.

The vessel queue is 21 south certain and 18 up certain, the Coast Guard mentioned Thursday afternoon.

The reason for the incident is below investigation.