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Tugboats carrying nearly 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel, oil sink into Illinois River

The 'major marine casualty' happened on the Illinois River near Hardin, Illinois, Sunday.

HARDIN, Ill. — What's being called a "major marine casualty" is playing out on the Illinois River, near Hardin.

The Coast Guard confirmed three tugboats and a deck barge that were tied together sank in the river Sunday.

Complicating the recovery is that the tugboats are holding almost five thousand gallons of diesel fuel and oil. The Coast Guard said it's working with the tugboat company to minimize any potential environmental impact.

Coast Guard officers have checked more than 11 miles of shoreline.

They've also helped deploy 1,500 feet of oil and fuel absorbing booms to collect any escaping oil and gas.

No word on what caused the tugboats to sink.

An investigation is underway.

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