Over 20 tons of squid spill onto Rhode Island highway after truck accident

A significant traffic accident on a Rhode Island highway resulted in the spill of over 20 tons of squid, causing extensive delays and a pungent odor. The incident occurred Sunday morning in Narragansett when a tractor-trailer carrying the seafood lost control while making a turn, overturning and releasing its cargo onto the roadway. Crews worked for hours in the intense summer heat to clear the decaying squid from the road. The foul stench, described by a local resident as "distinctive" and "very foul-smelling," permeated the area. Afternoon temperatures exceeded 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius), exacerbating the unpleasant conditions for both the cleanup crews and nearby residents. Traffic disruptions were substantial, with the road closed from approximately 9:30 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. The driver of the truck and a passenger escaped injury, but the driver was cited by state police for failure to secure a load. Rhode Island is a significant regional center for the commercial squid industry, with Narragansett being a key location. Millions of pounds of squid are processed and distributed nationwide annually through its ports, and calamari is even the state's official appetizer.

“

Squid has a distinctive odor to it. I’m a fisherman and I use squid for bait. I’m quite used to it, but it can be very foul-smelling especially if it lies on the road and stays there for a while.