Texas City dike closed after barge and ship collide

The Texas City Dike jutting into Galveston Bay nearly one year after Hurricane Ike. The Texas City Dike jutting into Galveston Bay nearly one year after Hurricane Ike. Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Chronicle Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Chronicle Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Texas City dike closed after barge and ship collide 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

A barge and a ship have collided near the end of the Texas City dike, the city announced Saturday afternoon.

"The dike and all parks on the water are closed until further notice," the announcement from Texas City Emergency Management said. "No action is required at this time other than to stay away from the area until advised it is safe."

The barge and ship collided about 2:30 p.m., Texas City Homeland Security Director Bruce Clawson told The Galveston County Daily News.

The barge was carrying about 22,000 gallons of oil and was leaking, Clawson told The Daily News, but it was unknown how much oil had leaked into Galveston Bay.

Although there is no danger to the public, two barge crew members were treated for exposure to hydrogen sulfide in the oil, Clawson told the paper.

Clawson said the barge has now sunk into the end of the dike.

Crews were responding, Clawson said.