Wisconsin natural gas pipeline struck by truck causing major leak

A stationary, empty semi-truck struck an open natural gas pipeline near Saxon in Iron County, northern Wisconsin, on Tuesday, August 25. The collision caused a massive leak of liquid natural gases, including propane and butane, creating a dense fog-like cloud in the atmosphere.

In response to the breach, authorities implemented several emergency measures, including the preemptive evacuation of nearby homes in the rural area, power outages, and a temporary no-fly zone to prevent potential explosions. Emergency crews successfully isolated the damaged section of the pipeline.

The pipeline, known as Line 5 and managed by the Canadian energy company Enbridge, has been in operation since 1953 and transports up to 540,000 barrels of liquid natural gas daily between Wisconsin and Canada. No injuries have been reported, but the exact cause of the truck entering the excavation site and the total volume of the leak remain under investigation.