Cleanup and containment operations continue after more than 69,000 gallons (260,000 litres) of crude oil were dumped in the river early June 27 after two tugboats collided about 80 miles (130 km) above New Orleans, according to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard closed 40 miles (64 km) of the Mississippi River to marine traffic because strong currents were spreading the slick downstream toward New Orleans, authorities said. No injuries were reported in the collision.

RC/ME