After breaking loose from a tugboat, three coal barges near Louisville sank in the Ohio River Wednesday.
The Courier-Journal reports the tugboat was pushing 15 barges carrying coal. One barge struck the Clark Memorial Bridge Tuesday night, breaking the others free. Multiple barges floated downstream and were pinned against a dam on the Ohio River after coming loose from the tug.
Lanny Brannock, a deputy commissioner with the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, said there are no implications for Owensboro.
“Coal is an inert or naturally occurring material, so it is no harm to waterways,” Brannock said.
Andy Ball with Daviess County Emergency Management Agency said he has confirmed with the regional Environmental Protection Agency office that there was no diesel or fuel on the three barges that sank.
“Owensboro is so far away and with water dilution there is no risk here,” Ball said.
