Train containing hazardous materials derails near Minnesota-Canada border
LANCASTER, Minn. – For the second time within two months, a train carrying hazardous materials has derailed in Minnesota.
Canadian Pacific (CPKC) says 24 cars on a freight train went off the rails Wednesday at about 4:30 p.m. near the Kittson County town of Lancaster, which is about 10 miles south of the Canadian border.
Some of the cars are carrying hazardous materials, but CPKC says there are no leaks as of late Wednesday night. No one has been reported hurt, and CPKC also says there are no waterways in the area.
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Due to the cleanup effort, MnDOT says U.S. Highway 59 will be closed in both directions between CR 36 and County Road 5 through June 14.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz tweeted about the derailment late Wednesday evening.
State officials are working with local emergency managers after a train derailed near Lancaster. Glad to hear that no injuries are reported and the site is contained. Experts are on the way to survey the site and make sure the community has everything they need.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) June 1, 2023
Sen. Amy Klobuchar also issued a statement:
"Thank you to the local and state emergency management personnel who responded to the train derailment outside Lancaster. While I'm relieved to hear that there were no injuries and there's no danger to residents at this time, families shouldn't have to worry that a possible derailment could put them and their community in harm's way. It's past time to put in place stronger rail safety standards and more accountability for violations. That's why I am a cosponsor of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act and I'm working with my colleagues to make sure it becomes law."
In mid-April, a BNSF train derailed in the southwestern Minnesota town of Raymond, spilling ethanol and causing a fire, which led to evacuations.
Just days later, a BNSF train derailed in southwestern Wisconsin, and two of the train's cars ended up floating down the Mississippi River. Those cars didn't contain hazardous materials, but other cars on the train contained lithium-ion batteries.
And this past weekend, a BNSF train with cars carrying rocks derailed outside of St. Cloud.
In February, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Eleven of the cars contained hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride, and several cars started on fire, leading to a five-day evacuation of residents.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation says Highway 59 will remain closed in both directions between County Road 36 and County Road 5 until around 6 p.m. on June 14.