Seventeen cars of a train derailed in south Louisiana on Friday, with several leaking a chemical used for sanitizing swimming pools. However, authorities reassured the public that it posed no threat.
The cause of the Union Pacific Railroad train derailment in Donaldsonville, located about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans, at around 7:30 a.m. remains unclear. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and no hazardous materials were involved.
Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Cody Melancon stated on Facebook, “We want the community to know that everyone is safe. We have no hazardous material leaks at this time. We do have several trains derailed. There’s only a white powder substance on the ground that is non-hazardous, made to make medicine.”
Markings on the train cars indicated they were carrying propylene, sulfuric acid, and refrigerated oxygen, none of which are harmful substances, as reported by WBRZ-TV. Three tank cars released cyanuric acid, used in herbicides and bleach, and efforts are underway to neutralize it, according to Union Pacific Railroad.
Deputies, along with state police and the railroad company, are collaborating to clean up the scene and repair the tracks. The process is expected to take several days, as mentioned by Melancon.
