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Hazardous Train Derailment in Connecticut: Propane Cars in River

A freight train carrying hazardous materials, including liquid propane, derailed in Mansfield, Connecticut, sending several cars into a river. Local authorities, including Fire Chief John Roache, reported no injuries or confirmed leaks from the incident. A precautionary shelter-in-place order was issued for residents within a half-mile radius due to the potential for odorless gas leaks. The cleanup is expected to be a multi-day operation due to the remote location of the derailment site.

Key Points: US Freight Train with Hazardous Materials Derails in Connecticut

  • Multiple railcars derailed into a river
  • Cars carried liquid propane and natural gas
  • No leaks or injuries reported
  • Shelter-in-place order issued for half-mile radius
  • Cleanup expected to take several days
2 min read

Freight train carrying hazardous materials derails in US Connecticut

A freight train carrying liquid propane and other materials derailed into a Connecticut river. No leaks reported, but shelter-in-place order issued.

"Four of the train's cars carrying liquid propane ended up in the water. - John Roache"

New York, Feb 6

A freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in the town of Mansfield, the US state of Connecticut, leading to the overturn of several cars of the train into a river.

Mansfield Fire Chief John Roache said four of the train's cars carrying liquid propane ended up in the water. No injuries have been reported, he added.

As of noon, there have been no reports of leaks or contamination, according to local authorities.

A shelter-in-place order has been issued within a half-mile radius of the accident scene for a possible hazardous gas leak, according to a statement released by the Mansfield town government, Xinhua news agency reported.

Six railcars carrying liquid propane went fully off the track, with four ending up in water, officials said.

Officials urged residents to remain indoors with windows closed, as the liquid propane is odorless and would not be immediately detected by smell.

Other derailed cars were carrying liquified natural gas and food-grade grease, according to Mansfield Fire Chief John Roache.

The derailment occurred along the Willimantic River, near Eagleville Lake, according to NECR.

The cleanup is anticipated to take several days due to the hard-to-reach location, with crews working to gain access to the site and bring in cranes, according to Roache.

A road nearby was closed and officials asked people to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

State and local hazardous materials teams are monitoring for leaks closely, the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said. They have placed hazmat booms in the water as a precaution.

The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The fact that the propane is odorless and they have to tell people to stay indoors is so scary. Imagine not even knowing if you're breathing it in. Proper infrastructure maintenance is non-negotiable for trains carrying such dangerous cargo. Hope the investigation is thorough.
A
Aman W
Reading this from India and it hits close to home. We've had our own train tragedies. While the response seems organized with hazmat teams and booms, the real question is why this keeps happening. Safety protocols need a global relook, yaar.
S
Sarah B
The location being hard-to-reach will make cleanup a nightmare. Several days, they say. The disruption for local residents and the potential long-term ecological damage is the real cost here, far beyond just the immediate accident.
V
Vikram M
No leaks reported yet is a massive relief. But "shelter-in-place" for a half-mile radius is a serious order. Makes you appreciate our disaster management teams when they have to act fast. Hope everyone stays safe and the cause is found quickly.
K
Karthik V
With all respect to the US authorities, these frequent derailments of hazardous material trains are a pattern now. It shows a systemic failure in maintenance or regulation. As a major economy, they should set a better example for rail safety globally.

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