Train carrying corn syrup derails in Arizona
A train carrying corn syrup derailed in Arizona Monday night, freight railroad company BNSF Railroad confirmed to CBS News. The derailment occurred around 7:40 p.m. near Tupac, Arizona and the state’s northwest border with California.
About eight cars derailed and the cause is under investigation, BNSF General Director of Public Affairs Lena Kent told CBS News in a statement.
According to initial reports, no one was injured and no hazardous materials were involved. It is unclear whether the corn syrup fell from the train. The derailment blocked the main railway track and authorities do not know when the track will reopen.
Three Arizona towns – Topoque, Golden Shores and Franconia – were under tornado warnings until 5:45 p.m. yesterday. According to National Weather Service. It is unclear if the weather had anything to do with the incident.
CBS News has reached out to the Mohave Sheriff’s Department for more information and is awaiting a response.
This is the latest in a series of railway incidents making headlines. But going off the rails – eg A major event in East Palestine, Ohio In February – has gained widespread attention this year, Derailment is not uncommon.
According to data from the Federal Railroad Administration, 1,154 derailments were reported in 2022. That’s an average of more than three a day.
But these incidents are less than previous decades. In 2018, there were 1,375 derailments—a significant decrease from the 8,744 reported in 1978.
Still, the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine was bigger and more destructive than most – 38 railcars derailed, including 11 carrying hazardous materials. The incident had a huge impact on the environment, forcing hundreds of people in the area to evacuate due to concerns about chemicals such as vinyl chloride.
An estimate 43,700 animals were killed. And many were concerned about the presence of gases in the air after a controlled burn to get rid of chemicals from the train.
Norfolk Southern said 15,000 pounds of soil and 1.1 million gallons of water were removed from the area due to contamination.
Advocates, including Erin Brockovich, have demanded answers from Norfolk Southern, and this week, the state sued the rail company to ensure it pays for cleanup and environmental damage.
Another Norfolk Southern train derailment in Ohio and one in Alabama have further tarnished the company’s reputation. However, the derailment is not unique to Norfolk Southern. A freight train operated by CSX derailed. Earlier this month in West Virginia, as it happened. Union Pacific train in Kansas.
