According to reports, thirty-one train cars carrying hazardous materials were derailed in North Dakota. This is the most high-profile derailment since East Palestine, OH, which raised massive environmental concerns, and caused an extensive cleanup around the area. According to authorities, there’s little to be concerned about — and the only thing that spilled was petroleum, which will solidify due to the temperatures and facilitate easy cleanup. Despite this, America’s railroads have been under a magnifying glass, with observers noting a concerningly high number of train derailments. Although most of these seem to be ‘harmless,’ East Palestine has served as a wake-up call for the nation, showing us just how serious a derailment can be in just the blink of an eye.
FOX NEWS: 70-car train derails in North Dakota, spills hazardous materials: officials
By Stephen Sorace; March 27, 2023
A 70-car train hauling hazardous materials derailed in North Dakota late Sunday, officials said.
The Canadian Pacific train derailed around 11:15 p.m. about a mile southeast of Wyndmere in Richland County, Canadian Pacific said in a statement. No injuries were reported.
Officials said 31 of the 70 cars derailed, some carrying hazardous materials, and crews identified a leak of liquid asphalt. No fires were caused by the derailment.
There is no threat to public safety, according to Canadian Pacific, which said there were no waterways near the site and no evacuations were necessary.
Hazardous materials experts were continuing to assess the scene and work with first responders, the company said.
Crews will allow the cold weather to solidify the leaked materials, which are expected to turn into a gel, WZFG reported, citing officials.
Nearby roadways 158 and 159 Avenue Southeast will be closed between Highway 13 and 14, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office told the outlet.
The cleanup is expected to last between seven and 10 days, local reports said.
The incident marks the latest train derailment in the U.S. as concerns over railroads remain high following the major incident in East Palestine, Ohio, in early February in which about 50 cars derailed, spilling hazardous materials and forcing evacuations of residents.
On Sunday, two cars of a Canadian Pacific train derailed in a Chicago suburb. One car was carrying wheat and the other was empty, FOX32 Chicago reported, citing officials.
No injuries were reported in that incident and there was no concern over hazardous materials.
Five other freight train cars derailed in Massachusetts on Thursday, but no hazardous materials were being hauled and there were no reports of injuries, according to authorities.
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