The Coast Guard says that they have suspended its search for three missing men on Monday, after two towing vessels collided on the Mississippi River near Luling on Sunday.
Coast Guard crews searched over 835 nautical miles for around 67 hours but were unable to find the three missing mariners, a release states.
Air monitoring is ongoing in the area surrounding the incident. The air in the immediate vicinity of the affected barge has now been cleared of any traces of sulfuric acid. There are no immediate health issues or concerns to the surrounding communities.
The Mississippi River opened last night at 9:30 p.m. to vessel traffic from mile marker 121 to 123. The Coast Guard says that the area is still subject to restrictions put in place Vessel Traffic Service. Salvage operations of the affected barge have been contracted and air monitoring in the area will continue until the salvage operations of the affected barge are complete.
The National Transportation Safety Board has joined the Coast Guard to investigate the cause of the incident.
