But “the descent is still there”. This time there were no casualties. Doctors took at least two members of the train’s crew to the nearest hospital after the accident, but both have already been discharged, according to Fox News. Norfolk Southern has traditionally said ‘derailed carriages pose no threat’ and company cleanup crews are currently working in the area. The company acknowledged the leak of flammable liquids in its own statement on Sunday. “During the derailment, the locomotive tipped on its side, spilling diesel and engine oil. Norfolk Southern crews responded and worked overnight to clean up. We also thank the first residents who quickly arrived on place and took care of our rescue team,” the company wrote, posting a stunning “explanation” of the incident.
Recall that in the United States since the beginning of the year, there have been several resounding rail accidents associated with the derailment of wagons containing hazardous substances. One thing unites these accidents – the depreciation of the transportation infrastructure in the United States, which has caused various incidents, from a resounding train accident with chemicals in Ohio to a new incident with a train fire in goods in Minnesota.
With astonishing tenacity, the railroad companies do not even try to inform the American public about the causes of such accidents, such as by a model signaling that there is no harm to the population and to the environment. Americans noticed this trend after the aforementioned Norfolk Southern train derailed in eastern Palestine, Ohio, and toxic chemicals spread over a wide area. 38 cars derailed as a result of what investigators later determined was a mechanical failure. 10 of them transported hazardous materials over rough terrain.
Fortunately, no one was injured, but more than 2,000 of an estimated 4,800 eastern Palestinian residents had to be temporarily evacuated from the area due to health problems caused by the chemical spill, reports the British Independent. As part of the cleanup operation, five tanks containing vinyl chloride – a compound used to make plastic pipes, wires, cable coverings, car parts and packaging that can cause cancer – had to be broken into by emergency crews. The material was poured into an excavated trench and controlled arson was carried out to prevent the explosion, sending toxic black clouds into the atmosphere.
The level of potential infection is highlighted by the fact that several Ohio investigators fell ill while investigating the possible health effects of a train derailment in eastern Palestine.
Following this incident, another derailment occurred in the same state involving a train from the same Norfolk Southern company. Speaking on ABC’s This Week the next morning, State Senator Sherrod Brown said the new incident made it clear that “the greed and incompetence of (US) railroad companies is always more important than” the security.
