One person died and 13 were injured in the explosion explosion at a metallurgical plant in Ohio, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Investigators still do not know the reasons for the accident, which occurred weeks after the derailment of a train carrying toxic substances in the same American state.
The explosion occurred at 3pm Monday (local time; 20 GMT) at a metal alloy plant belonging to I. Schumann and Co in the city of Bedford.
Initially, 13 victims – two of them in critical condition from burns – were taken to local hospitals, Captain Brian DiRocco of the Oakwood Village Fire Department said. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed one death.
Through a press release, the company specified that the cause of the accident is still “unknown”, which caused “significant damage to the structures” and set fire to some cars parked near the plant.
“We will work together with researchers in finding answers,” the company continued. Finally, he assured that efforts are now “focused on supporting first responders who rushed quickly to the scene to help our employees”.
After the event, several firefighters went to the scene to put out the fire, which was extinguished two hours later. Videos showing a large cloud of smoke billowing out of the factory have gone viral on social media.
In addition, neighbors reported bad smells after the explosion, which occurred weeks after the train carrying dangerous substances derailed.
Clinic opens after train derailment in Ohio
On February 3, the train derailment in eastern Palestine raised concerns in the Ohio community. Is that, as a result of the accident, vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical, was spilled.
While there were no injuries, concerns about air quality and dangerous chemicals caused several city residents to leave. Some of those who stayed behind began to experience ailments, from skin rashes to nausea and breathing problems. To take care of them, the authorities will open a special clinic in the derailment area.
Teams from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Health have arrived in the state at the request of Governor Mike DeWine, CNN reported. They will assess the dangers that may remain in the eastern Palestinian community of some 5,000 residents.
“It’s not clear, if at all, what the long-term health issues might be,” they said. The US Environmental Protection Agency offers indoor air testing to evacuation zone residents.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revealed that in the first analyzes no toxic substances were found, neither in the air nor in the water. Governor DeWine also drank the tap water while visiting a local neighbor.
Additionally, the EPA has already filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern to force the railroad company to pay for cleanup efforts associated with the derailment.
“The Norfolk South train derailment has disrupted the lives of families in eastern Palestine, and the EPA order will ensure that the company is held accountable for endangering the health and safety of this community,” said the agency administrator, Michael Regan.
“Let’s be clear: Norfolk Southern will pay to clean up the mess you’ve created and the trauma you’ve inflicted on this community,” Regan said.
If the company fails to complete any of the ordered actions, the agency will carry out the necessary work “immediately” and then try to force Norfolk Southern to pay triple the cost The railway company is already facing several class action lawsuits from members of the East Palestine community.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.