Officials rush to close McKees Rocks Bridge after 23 barges break loose in Pittsburgh – weeks after the disaster that brought down the Key Bridge in Baltimore

Authorities have been forced to close the McKees Rocks Bridge after 23 barges reportedly broke free from a tugboat on the Ohio River.

The McKees Rocks Police Department said just after midnight they would close the bridge as a precaution.

According to the department, there are currently a number of barges that have broken loose on their way down the Ohio River.

A local police scanner site said there were an estimated 23 barges heading down the river, one of which hit a marina dock.

In a statement, police said: ‘A number of barges have broken loose on their way down the Ohio River.

According to the department, there are currently a number of barges that have broken loose on their way down the Ohio River

A local police scanner site said there were an estimated 23 barges heading down the river, one of which hit a marina dock

‘They may come into contact with the substructure, but we are not willing to take the risk. Please avoid this area for the time being.

It comes just weeks after a Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a container ship.

The ship – the Singapore-flagged Dali – was 20 minutes into its journey when it slammed into a pillar on the bridge.

Divers have recovered three bodies from the underwater wreck, while the remaining three victims are still unaccounted for.

Crews have been working to recover parts of the fallen bridge, including those tangled in a muddy mess at the bottom of the Patapsco River.