Baltimore Diesel Spill Prompts Major Cleanup, Probe

Approximately 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from Johns Hopkins Hospital’s East Baltimore facility into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor after an accidental overfilling of backup generator tanks during a routine delivery. The incident, initially reported as a smaller 200-gallon spill, escalated and triggered a rapid response from city, state, and federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and environmental contractors. Emergency crews used absorbent materials, skimmers, and booms to contain and clean up the diesel, with hundreds of gallons already recovered and the spill largely confined to the marina area. The red color in the water is due to dye in the diesel, and officials report that the city’s drinking water remains safe and unaffected. Minor traces of unrecoverable fuel sheen persist in the harbor. Investigations and potential enforcement actions are expected as cleanup efforts continue.