An unfastened barge with 1.4 thousand tons of methanol partially sank at the McAlpine Dam in Louisville, Kentucky (USA). This was reported on March 28 by ABC News with reference to the statement of the authorities.
It is noted that a total of 10 barges were affected, one of which was transporting methanol. The sluice chambers at the Ohio River Dam were closed as a result of the incident in order to prevent the leakage of toxic materials.
According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the locks will remain closed until the emergency is eliminated and the barges are brought back to normal. At the moment, six barges have been restored.
On the eve it became known that a freight train with iron ore derailed in the San Bernardino county of the US state of California. It was noted that there is no threat to the population and the environment.
Earlier, on March 26, a train accident occurred in North Dakota, as a result of which a train carrying hazardous materials derailed. The train of 70 wagons transported petroleum products used in the production of asphalt. A total of 31 cars derailed, local authorities noted.
Prior to that, on February 4, an accident occurred in Ohio, as a result of which a train carrying chemicals derailed and crashed into a building near the town of East Palestine. Tanks with a dangerous substance overturned and exploded.
Emergency services had to evacuate about 1.5 thousand citizens from houses adjacent to the emergency site. Eco-activists reported the death of fish and pets in the area of the disaster and expressed fears that toxic chemicals could spread in the water and air. The incident was dubbed “Chernobyl in Ohio”.