A significant derailment occurred Thursday in Matteson, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, involving a train carrying liquified petroleum gas. About 25 train cars derailed, according to a spokesperson for the Canadian National Railway.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and there have been no major gas leaks. Initially, officials instructed residents and businesses to prepare for a “long-term” evacuation. However, the evacuation order was later lifted for all properties except those adjacent to the crash site, as reported by USA Today.
“One railcar containing residue Liquified Petroleum Gas leaked a limited amount of product. The product has since been contained, and there is no danger to public safety,” stated the Canadian National Railway spokesperson. They added that the railway is collaborating closely with local officials and expressed gratitude to first responders for their efforts.
The exact cause of the derailment remains unclear. However, officials were observed inspecting a leaking railway car at the scene.
This incident follows the recent release of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) final report on a major train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last year. The NTSB identified the cause of that derailment as a hot railcar wheel bearing, which ignited a fire. The close timing of these events underscores ongoing concerns about railway safety and the importance of stringent maintenance and inspection protocols.
