Barge smashes into bridge pillar, sparking environmental concerns
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A barge transporting sugar on the Chao Phraya River hit a bridge pillar in Ayutthaya’s Bangsai district late on Sunday night, prompting the authorities to rush to save the barge from sinking and potentially causing an environmental disaster.
The TMS 16 barge was one of four boats used to transport sugar from the Angthong Sugar Terminal Co Ltd’s warehouse in Angthong to Bangkok.
Each boat was carrying 1,200 tonnes of sugar.
The barge sinking could cause severe environmental damage, officials said.
Police said the barge hit the bridge pillar near Wat Choeng Lane in tambon Ratchakram, causing a hole on the bow.
Tug boats stabilised the barge while a water pump was used to drain water from the vessel.
