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Ohio train crash: toxic chemicals leaked
Photo: Gene J. Puskar / dpa
According to the authorities, an overheated wheel bearing was the reason for the train accident in the US state of Ohio, in which large quantities of highly toxic chemicals were released into the environment.
In a preliminary investigation report released Thursday, the US Department of Transportation described how the accident happened.
According to this, detectors at the edge of the track along the route have detected a sharp rise in temperature in one of the wheel bearings.
Within almost 50 kilometers, the temperature had risen by almost 120 degrees Celsius.
The system triggered a warning, whereupon the crew braked the train.
Automatic emergency braking was also activated during the braking process.
According to the report, after the train came to a standstill, the crew saw fire and smoke.
On a surveillance video that was recorded before the accident, glowing wheels can be seen on one of the wagons.
Transport Minister Pete Buttigieg took a look at the scene of the accident on Thursday.
Carcinogenic substance escaped at the scene of the accident
In the accident on February 3, 38 of the train's 150 wagons derailed.
Eleven of them were loaded with toxic chemicals, including the carcinogenic substance vinyl chloride.
Large amounts of it were released into the environment as a result of the accident.
To prevent an explosion in one of the wagons that caught fire, the authorities allowed the chemicals to leak out in a controlled manner and burned them off.
A huge cloud of smoke hung over the place.
The houses in the area were temporarily evacuated.
After the accident, residents complained not only about the penetrating smell but also about health problems - including headaches, eye irritation and skin rashes.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) blamed the Norfolk Southern railroad company for the accident and ordered the company to pay in full for the clean-up work.
lmd/dpa