Alabama Oil Spill: 275,000 Gallons into Mobile River

275,000 Gallons of Crude Oil Spilled into Mobile River

An overnight spill at the Gulf Coast Asphalt Company has dumped around 275,000 gallons of crude oil into the Mobile River and the surrounding land.

The US Coast Guard has stopped all river traffic between the Cochrane Africatown USA Bridge and the south end of McDuffie Island. The spill took place during the early hours of September 1. 

• Map: Mobile, Alabama Oil Spill
  

Alabama State Docks and the Coast Guard are blaming the Mobile River oil spill on different events: Alabama State Docks says that the spill resulted from a ruptured tank, while the Coast Guard says that the spill happened when Gulf Coast Asphalt was unloading a barge.

A statement from Gulf Coast Asphalt read, "The oil is no longer spilling. We are working with the EPA, Coast Guard and all authorities to ensure that the surrounding area remains safe and is clean as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, local news footage shows the extent of the spill, which can be seen and smelled for miles.