East Palestine subject to mandatory evacuation, explosion warning possible after toxic train crash

Residents within a one-mile radius of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio are subject to mandatory evacuation.

According to a press release from Gov. Mike Devine’s office, one of the railcars that derailed Friday night experienced a “drastic change in temperature” and there is now the possibility of a catastrophic tanker failure that could cause an explosion with potentially deadly shrapnel flying up to a mile away. “.

According to the DC EMA Facebook page, the train was carrying the known carcinogens benzene and vinyl chloride.

“There is a high possibility of a release and/or explosion of toxic gas,” the EMA said Sunday evening.

Nearly 5,000 residents of East Palestine, a city about 20 miles south of Youngstown on the Pennsylvania border, were evacuated from their homes. The Ohio National Guard has been called in to help local officials, who say more than 500 people are left.

A 50-car Norfolk Southern train derailed around 9:00 pm Friday night. Ten vehicles were transporting hazardous materials. Three train crew members were not injured, Michael Graham of the National Transportation Safety Board said at a news conference on Sunday afternoon.

According to Graham, based on interviews with crew members on Sunday, the discovery of defects on the side of the road showed a mechanical problem.

According to Graham, the crew applied the emergency brake and after the derailment, the conductor unhooked the locomotives from the cars, moving them to safety. The NTSB found the location where it believed the crash occurred, but did not release the information.

The video tentatively points to a mechanical problem with one of the rail car’s axles, and the NTSB says it is working on identifying the car.

The NTSB purchased the train data recorder, as well as video and audio recordings. His preliminary report is expected in four to six weeks.

Despite the strong smell in East Palestine, D.C. emergency officials said air monitoring shows “community air is safe.”

The Red Cross oversees the operation of the shelter, including meals and bedding in the junior and senior grades in East Palestine. Classes are canceled on Monday.

Additional reporting by Julie Grant of Allegheny Front.

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