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Ohio River near Pittsburgh is closed as crews search for missing barge, one of 26 that broke loose

A group of barges sit pinned against the Emsworth lock and dam in Pittsburgh, on Saturday. More than two dozen river barges broke loose from their moorings and floated down the Ohio River, damaging a marina and striking a bridge. WTAE via AP

A stretch of the Ohio River near Pittsburgh remains closed to maritime traffic as crews equipped with sonar look for a barge believed to have sunk over the weekend. The barge is one of more than two dozen barges that broke loose and floated down the river, striking a bridge and causing extensive damage to a pair of marinas. No injuries were reported and officials say no hazardous materials spilled into the river. Cmdr. Justin Jolley of the Coast Guard marine safety unit in Pittsburgh says he’s hopeful the river can reopen this week.

A stretch of the Ohio River near Pittsburgh remained closed to maritime traffic on Monday as crews equipped with sonar looked for a barge believed to have sunk over the weekend — one of more than two dozen barges that broke loose and floated down the rain-swollen river.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched an investigation into how 26 river barges got loose from their moorings late Friday, striking a bridge and smashing a pair of marinas. All but three of the barges were loaded with coal, fertilizer and other dry cargo.

No injuries were reported and no hazardous materials spilled into the river, according to Pittsburgh police and Coast Guard officials, but the river was expected to remain off limits to mariners while the barges’ owner formulated a plan to salvage its runaway vessels.

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