KUALA LUMPUR – Weeks after a cargo ship brought down a bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, a barge has caused an oil spill and another bridge’s partial collapse in Houston, Texas.
The barge carrying petroleum crashed into the Pelican Island Bridge, which connects the island to Galveston city, yesterday and leaked oil into Galveston Bay, the Houston Public Media news portal said.
No fatalities have been reported, but one man fell overboard during the incident, said the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, reported AP. The individual was quickly recovered and suffered no injuries.
The US Coast Guard is also determining the extent of the oil spill and beginning containment and cleaning up processes.
The amount of oil leaked from the barge, which carried 30,000 gallons (around 113,500L), is still unknown.
The partial collapse of the bridge caused its temporary closure, but one lane was later opened to allow drivers to leave Pelican Island, where electricity supply was temporarily affected.
On March 26, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a cargo ship crashed into a support column. Six construction workers died. – May 16, 2024