A train derailed Wednesday night in western Arizona but was not carrying hazardous materials as initially feared, a rail operator said Thursday.
Authorities say the train derailed along Interstate 40 in Topockan unincorporated community near the California border.
“BNSF Railway can confirm that a train carrying corn syrup has derailed,” a spokeswoman for the railway company said. “There were no injuries as a result of the derailment and preliminary reports indicate that no hazardous materials were involved.”
No spills or leaks have been reported, according to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, which initially said the train had hazardous materials on board.
Wednesday’s incident occurred less than two months after dozens of cars on a Norfolk Southern freight train, including some carrying hazardous materials, derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, starting a large fire.
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Many people were forced to evacuate the community near the Pennsylvania border when officials burned vinyl chloride, a dangerous chemical, from five of the cars to prevent an explosion.
Railroad employees working on the cleanup efforts reported feeling “migraines and nausea,” according to a union letter sent to local and federal authorities. More than 43,000 aquatic animals died after the derailment, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said last month.
Residents criticized Norfolk Southern’s transparency during a town hall meeting in February.
“They are not here supportingThey’re not here answering questions. For three days we didn’t even know what was on the train,” resident Kathy Dyke said at the time.
“I have three grandchildren. Are they going to grow up here in five years and get cancer?
Since then, Norfolk Southern trains have derailed in Alabama and Springfield, Ohio this month.
with cable news services