Keachie, La. ( Associated Press) – About 130 people in northern Louisiana were ordered to evacuate their homes Saturday after a train derailed and two carriages spilled hazardous materials, state police said.
Trooper Jonathan of the Louisiana State Police said the Union Pacific Railroad train derailed at 10:30 p.m. Friday in the town of Kechi, DeSoto County, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Shreveport, Louisiana.
“According to the investigation, approximately 16 coaches derailed, causing a corrosive liquid leak,” Odom said.
“For public safety, the mandatory evacuation of all people within 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) in all directions has been ordered,” he said.
DeSoto District Police told KTBS-TV that according to a preliminary investigation, 16 wagons were derailed and at least two spilled acid-related products.
Union Pacific spokeswoman Robin Tysvar said the two railcars leaked propanoic acid – used as a preservative, fungicide and antimicrobial agent – ​​and acetic anhydride, used in the manufacture of plastics, drugs, dyes, perfumes, explosives and aspirin. is used in
At the moment “it is unknown if there is any sequence for waterways in the area”, he said.
The spokesman said specialized hazardous materials teams are coordinating the sanitation and clean-up efforts.
Odom said there were no reports of deaths or injuries, but Tysvar said three crew members taken to the hospital as a precaution had already been released.
Odom said it is not known at this time when the evacuation order will expire.
Odom and Tysvar indicated that investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the derailment.
