Another Norfolk Southern train derailed in the United States, weeks after the media accident involving a train carrying toxic chemicals on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border.
The accident occurred Thursday morning, when a freight train belonging to this US company derailed in White Plains, Alabama, with no reports of injuries or leaks of hazardous materials.
The company itself guaranteed in a statement, after the derailment, that the event did not pose a risk to the population, since the train was not carrying hazardous materials.
This is the company’s third derailment in the last month, according to the North American broadcaster ABC.
The accident came just hours before company president Alan Shaw, who apologized for the incident in East Palestine, Ohio, and vowed to “finish the job” in the area affected by the chemical leak, appeared before a senate committee.
On February 3, the accident in East Palestine caused no direct casualties, but caused a fire with a large column of black smoke.
The train that derailed was carrying vinyl chloride, a chemical used in the manufacture of plastic that is considered carcinogenic and highly flammable.
Federal and state officials have repeatedly said that it is safe for evacuees to return to the area and that air tests in the city and hundreds of homes have not detected worrisome levels of pollutants.
However, some residents say they are still suffering from illness almost a month later.
This Friday, before the US Congress, the executive director of the railway company promised millions of dollars to help the recovery of the affected city.
This was repeatedly challenged, by both Democrats and Republicans, about specific commitments to compensate for long-term property and health damages.
“I am very sorry for the impact this derailment has had on the people of that community,” Shaw told the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, adding: “We will be there as long as it takes to help to East Palestine”. recover and prosper.”
But the votes of condolences and the commitment of 20 million dollars (18.9 million euros) of aid so far have not satisfied the congressmen and several neighbors of Eastern Palestine who traveled to Washington to attend the hearing.
The rail company announced several voluntary safety updates, but senators are nonetheless trying to act on their own as they investigate the derailment, the response of President Joe Biden’s administration, and the company’s safety practices, following the derailment and overturning of 38 wagons, 11 of which carry hazardous materials.
Source: TSF
