The Sheila Johnson tugboat, pulling 25 barges, hit an obstruction in the water Sunday, causing 13 barges to break loose just north of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
According to KFVS12, Paducah Coast Guard spokesman Lieutenant Dan McQuate said three barges were damaged and had partially sunk.
According to McQuate, most of the coal was contained within the barges, but equipment was on the way to clean up what had been spilt. McQuate estimated it would take some time before the area was completely clean.
Missouri Dry Dock was called in to tie up four loose barges, and one barge was roped off because it was potentially dangerous, according to KFVS12.
The Bill Emerson Bridge leading from Cape Girardeau into Illinois was closed due to the accident, but has since reopened.
Damage estimates are in progress and investigations are ongoing regarding what the tug struck.
