Evacuations Ordered in Pennsylvania After 40-car Train Derails: Officials

A Norfolk Southern freight train derailment in Pennsylvania has forced the evacuation of the town of Whitemarsh Township, officials said Monday.

The derailment took place at around 5 a.m. ET on Monday in the township, officials told local media. The train was carrying silicone pellets and other materials, police said.

“As of now, the only thing that is leaking from any of the rail cars involved, is silicone pellets which pose no risk to the community,” said the department in a Facebook post. “We are still gathering information at this time and ask you to follow us here for any important factual updates. We thank all the community partners and resources that are working with us on scene ensuring the safety of our community.”

However, other reports indicated that it was not immediately known what was inside them. Hazmat teams were seen at the site, although it is not clear if any substances were leaking from the cars, reported The Associated Press.

Officials confirmed that businesses and homes were evacuated as a precaution, although there is no known danger to the public. No injuries were reported.

“Whitemarsh Emergency Services is investigating the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in the Plymouth Meeting section of Whitemarsh Township,” the local police department said in a Facebook post at 7 a.m. local time.

The police department then confirmed: “Precautionary evacuations have occurred at the residents and businesses closest to the scene. It is not believed that further evacuations will be needed, but we will evaluate as we know more.”

The 40-car CSX train, which was operating on tracks owned by Norfolk Southern, derailed around 4:50 a.m. in Whitemarsh Township. More than a dozen cars appeared to be off the tracks, according to an Associated Press reporter.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote on social media that he’s aware of the crash and will deploy state resources to the area.

“My team and I are monitoring the train derailment in Whitemarsh Twp and assisting local first responders. Thank you to the residents taking precautions at the direction of local authorities. I urge you to continue following their instruction,” he wrote on Twitter.

My team and I are monitoring the train derailment in Whitemarsh Twp and assisting local first responders.

Thank you to the residents taking precautions at the direction of local authorities. I urge you to continue following their instruction.https://t.co/sY7tjDwPNX

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) July 17, 2023

Norfolk Southern—and the entire rail industry—has been under intense scrutiny since one of its trains derailed and caught fire in February in East Palestine, Ohio, creating towering black smoke, forcing evacuations, and raising environmental concerns. That train had been carrying vinyl chloride, a highly toxic substance, and there were concerns that toxic chemicals leeched into the town’s groundwater.

The Epoch Times has contacted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.