Another train has derailed in the Midwest in Nebraska, officials have confirmed.
Officials say that it occurred in Gothenburg, a city located in central Nebraska, on Tuesday morning. Several locals claimed that it was the third or fourth derailment in the same spot in the past year or so.
“At about 1:45 a.m. CST today, approximately 31 Union Pacific train cars carrying coal derailed near Gothenburg, Nebraska,” Union Pacific Railroad told media outlets Tuesday. “No one was injured. The incident occurred about three miles southeast of Gothenburg. Cleanup has begun, with heavy equipment on site.”
The Union Pacific statement added that “one of the three mainline tracks near the derailment site reopened to train traffic at about 8 a.m. CST” and that “the cause of the incident is under investigation.”
Footage posted on Twitter shows crews working to move the train after the incident.
The incident comes as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told ABC News on Tuesday morning that he is planning on visiting the site of a train derailment earlier this month in East Palestine, Ohio. That train, operated by Norfolk Southern, was carrying a range of toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, before officials initiated the controlled release and burn of the chemicals on board the train.
Locals have since complained of health problems and have said that they’ve witnessed animal die-offs. Earlier this month, authorities told East Palestine residents that it was fine to return to their homes, while state officials last week said that testing has shown it’s fine to drink the village’s municipal water.
About a week ago, authorities confirmed a train derailed near Detroit, Michigan, that was also carrying some hazardous materials. No injuries were reported, and officials said no hazardous chemicals were released during the crash.
Several other trains have derailed since the Ohio incident, including a train near Houston, Texas, and another in South Carolina, officials have said.
In the ABC News interview, Buttigieg also called for more regulations on railway operators and said he wants to see higher fines if those firms violate federal safety regulations.
“I’m concerned that some rail companies treat fines for safety violations as a cost of doing business and then the real cost is borne by families and communities when that safety violation leads to a tragedy,” he said in a statement Tuesday. “It’s just not enough to have an adequate deterrent effect.”
Well a real organized NTSB would be a plus++ But guess we are stuck with a failed administration. So a real source of leadership must be formed. The NTSB needs a serious overhaul. You got that federally taxpayer payed US. Bengamins. Wheres the Budget? Can we not fit this program in between foreign aids, and rebuilding projects.It’s ludicrous where your taxpaid dollars go.