The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard is responding to a sunken barge on the Ohio River near Cairo, Ill., on Wednesday.
Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report at 1:10 p.m. that six barges broke free from a towing vessel near mile marker 964 on the Ohio River.
Five of the barges have been secured. One barge carrying pig iron sank and its location is unknown.
The Army Corps of Engineers has closed the Olmsted Locks and Dam until the barge is located.
Divers are scheduled to search for the barge with side-scan sonar pending weather conditions.
The Coast Guard is broadcasting a safety message to notify mariners of the situation.
