A Norfolk Southern Corp. train. derailed in Springfield, Ohio, about a month after an earlier accident in the country that shone a spotlight on rail safety.
About 20 cars of the 212-car train derailed as it traveled south near Springfield Saturday afternoon, the company said in an emailed statement. No hazardous materials were found and no injuries were reported, he said.
Norfolk Southern is grappling with the fallout from the East Palestine, Ohio, accident that has residents worried about contaminated air and water. While train derailment happens quite regularly, the incident of February 3 attracted special attention after dangerous chemicals were spilled, forcing the evacuation of the community of around 4,700 people as the authorities deliberately vented and burned the tank car to prevent an explosion.
Clark County officials said Saturday they are asking residents within 1,000 feet to shelter in place “out of an abundance of caution,” but are not issuing evacuation orders at this time. More than 1,500 residents are without power due to downed power lines, officials said in a Facebook post.
Norfolk Southern teams are on their way to the site to begin cleanup operations, according to a company statement. Federal Railroad Administration officials are also on the way, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Twitter.
The incident could add to the pressure on Norfolk Southern. Senator Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, pointed to two derailments and at least two other incidents involving the company’s trains in the state in recent months, calling them “unacceptable” and accusing Norfolk Southern of putting profits before safety.
“Ohio communities should not be forced to live in fear of another disaster,” Brown, who is sponsoring a new Senate bill aimed at addressing railroad safety, said in a statement.
-With help from Ari Natter.
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