LAPLACE, La. – Two boats collided in the Mississippi River early Friday, causing an oil spill, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
A tugboat pushing a crude oil barge and a crane barge collided about 2:00 a.m. local time near LaPlace, La., officials said in a statement cited by WVUE-TV.
There were no reports of injuries and there was no immediate indication of the amount of oil spilled, officials said.
The St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center issued a statement saying it had shut down both of its water intakes in the surrounding areas of New Sarpy and Luling following the oil spill but said there was plenty of clean drinking water in storage.
"The incident is not a threat to the public, and there are no protective actions necessary. Citizens may detect an odor as the oil flows down the Mississippi and leaves St. Charles Parish," the statement said.
A cleanup operation was under way.
