Tugboat, barges strike gas line causing deadly explosion in Louisiana
Lafayette, Louisiana's The Daily Advertiser reported that a tugboat carrying two barges struck and underwater gas pipeline causing a massive explosion that killed three seamen, severely burned another, and left three others missing. The accident and explosion occurred in West Cote Blanche Bay near Cypremort Point, Louisiana.
The Daily Advertiser:
The tugboat, which belonged to Central Boat Rentals Inc. of Berwick and two barges, which belonged to Athena Construction of Morgan City, were carrying a tugboat driver, a crane operator and six crew hands, none of whom have been named.
Upon contact with the gas line, each of the vessels immediately were engulfed by flames. The tugboat and barge carrying the lumber detached and continued to burn as they drifted away. Crews on scene extinguished them first.
The other barge, roughly 1,000 or more yards away, remained over the gas line and burned for several hours before it was contained. Officials believe those missing may have remained on this barge in a hideaway below deck. It is unclear whether any of them could have survived the intense and prolonged heat.
