United States: In East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this month, a Norfolk Southern train derailed, causing a devastating chemical leak that was "100% preventable".
According to Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A preliminary report on the incident was released by the agency, which was followed by a press conference.
We call incidents as accidents. According to Homendi, there have been no accidents. "Every event we see is avoidable." However, she continued that there was no evidence that the train crew had acted improperly.
Also Read: NATO and the EU respond to the Chinese roadmap for peace in Ukraine
According to the NTSB's preliminary report on the accident, two sensors along the train's route that are used to detect hot bearings confirmed that one of the train's wheel bearings had failed during the last 30 miles (48 km). Reached a peak temperature of 215°F. travel.
The functionality of the heat sensor was confirmed by Norfolk Southern on Thursday, but the train's own alarm was not programmed to sound until high temperatures were reached.
Also Read: Biden: the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is currently off the table
According to the report, the bearings were 253 degrees hotter than their surroundings, and despite the engineer's prompt action to slow the train, the bearings reportedly failed, causing the 23rd car to derail.
Pellets of plastic inside the car caught fire when they came in contact with overheated bearings. It quickly spread to 11 other cars carrying hazardous material, including five loaded with vinyl chloride, which officials eventually decided to vent and burn on site.
Investigation revealed that this action was taken as a result of being concerned about an impending explosion due to rising temperatures inside one of the tanks containing vinyl chloride.
Homendy told reporters that the NTSB will continue to look at industry safety standards regarding heat limits for high-temperature alarms and other flaw detectors, rail car and wheel design, and distance to sensors. Homendy acknowledged it was "too early to tell" for sure how the disaster could have been avoided.
Also Read: North Korea claims that US military drills are a "declaration of war"
The agency will investigate whether Norfolk Southern disposed of vinyl chloride appropriately as well as Norfolk Southern's inspection process, she said.
Although state and federal officials say the air and water are safe, locals have blamed the fires for increased numbers of birds, livestock and fish, as well as water pollution in the area.