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Images of the fire after the train crash
Photo: Gene J. Puskar / dpa
A freight train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in Ohio, US, at risk of explosion.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine urged everyone within a mile of the scene of the accident to evacuate their homes.
One of the tank cars on the derailed train is about to explode after an extreme rise in temperature, according to a statement tweeted by Governor DeWine on Monday night.
Splinters could fly up to a mile as a result.
There is also a high probability that toxic gases could be released.
Most residents have already evacuated their homes, but some are still holding out.
50 wagons derailed
According to authorities, the freight train was on its way to the neighboring state of Pennsylvania when 50 of its 140 wagons derailed near the town of East Palestine on Friday evening.
Ten of them were loaded with hazardous goods, including five with the highly toxic chemical vinyl chloride, as the NTSB traffic safety authority announced on Twitter on Saturday evening.
According to authorities, no one was injured.
However, they urged all residents within a mile radius to leave their homes.
In addition, a shelter order was issued for the entire city.
tfb/dpa/AFP