America
Train derailment causes massive explosion, oil spill
Washington, Feb 17
A train carrying crude oil
derailed in the US state of West Virginia Monday, causing a massive
explosion and an oil spill, as a state of emergency was declared in two
counties of the state, media reported.
A home was destroyed in
the accident, but there were no reports of injuries, CNN said, citing
Lawrence Messina, spokesman for the West Virginia department of military
affairs and public safety.
Nearly 30 of over 100 cars the train
came off the tracks, the spokesman said. It was, however, still unclear
what caused the derailment, which happened around 1.30 p.m.
Oil
from the train spilled into the Kanawha river, a source of drinking
water for residents in the Kanawha and Fayette counties of the state.
West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin issued a state of emergency for
both those counties Monday night. Residents have been urged to conserve
water.
Police have also asked residents within a half a mile (nearly 1 km) of the accident site to evacuate until further notice.
"We've
had some severe winter weather conditions here with significant
snowfall. We don't yet know whether that's a factor in this (accident),"
Messina said.