A 65-mile stretch of the Mississippi River near St. Charles Parish, La., is closed due to an oil spill resulting from a Saturday vessel collision. The Baton Rouge Advocate reported this morning that crews are cleaning up the oil and that no injuries occurred. Parish authorities have shut down water intakes along the river as a precaution. It is not known how much oil was spilled. The accident occurred near Vacherie on Saturday afternoon, when a barge carrying light crude rear-ended a towboat that was pushing grain barges.
Update, 2:46 PM: A 40-mile stretch of the closed portion of the river has been reopened, according to the Advocate. Approximately 31,500 gallons of oil were spilled. Authorities say there are no reports of oiled wildlife or water contamination.
Update, 4:19 PM: The entire area has been reopened by the Coast Guard.
