30 Grain Barges Breakaway on Mississippi

The Mississippi River is closed as the U.S. Coast Guard responds to an allision resulting in a barge breakaway near Thebes, Illinois, on Wednesday.

The tow vessel Michael G. Morris allided with the Thebes Railroad Bridge at approximately 5 a.m. on Wednesday. The allision caused all 30 barges loaded with grain to breakaway. One sank at mile marker 42 of the Mississippi River and another sank next to the Thebes Railroad Bridge.

The Mississippi River is now closed to all traffic from mile marker 44 to mile marker 20.

The Coast Guard is working with the Army Corps of Engineers and the owner of the barges to supervise salvage operations.

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.