Multiple law enforcement agencies are currently investigating a concerning incident that occurred late Friday night in Pittsburgh, as more than 20 barges broke loose and floated down the Ohio River. The commander for the Pittsburgh district of the Army Corp of Engineers confirmed that all 26 barges have been accounted for, with some of them resting against the Emsworth Lock and Dam on the Ohio River. Fortunately, early investigations found no issues with the dam, and no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that 26 barges broke away from a vessel at mile marker one, with 23 of them loaded with dry cargo such as coal. However, no hazardous materials were being carried on the barges, and there have been no reports of contamination or pollution. Eleven of the barges were pinned against the river bank by Brunot Island and are currently being held by a tugboat, while 9 came to a stop at Emsworth Lock and Dam. The remaining six barges went through the dam and have been located downstream, with five of them found and one believed to have sunk.

Unfortunately, Peggy's Marina sustained extensive damage as a result of the loose barges, with other docks in the area also being affected. The incident is under investigation, with the high water levels being cited as a contributing factor. Campbell Transportation Company owns and operates the barges involved in the incident. Several bridges in the area were temporarily closed as a precaution, including the McKees Rocks Bridge and the West End Bridge. Rail traffic on the rail bridge to Brunot Island was also shut down.

The bridge closures were deemed necessary due to the risk of the barges coming into contact with the substructure of the bridges. The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore just two weeks prior, which resulted in six fatalities, has raised concerns about the structural integrity of bridges across the country. Authorities have assured that the bridges will be reopened once it is determined to be safe to do so. The incident on the Ohio River is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.