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Train Car Derailment in Ohio Causes Fire, Evacuations now Lifted
Train Car Derailment in Ohio Causes Fire, Evacuations now Lifted
Sabrina R.
Photo provided by Mellisa Smith, East Palestine in Ohio, Friday, February 3, 2023.
Residents of Palestine, Ohio are now able to return back to their homes as of Wednesday February 8; evacuation orders are lifted; after a train derailment caused fire in Ohio, Friday night.
The fire caused many to evacuate as authorities were prompted to launch investigations and plan to monitor safety of the air quality in the area after various hazardous chemicals were suspected of being released from the train.
According to APnews, Norfolk Southern stated that 20 out of more than 100 cars were carrying hazardous materials–cargo that could cause any kind of harm, including; flammables, firearms, combustables, or environmental damages. There were no reports of deaths, or injuries, as confirmed by the Mayor of East Palestine. It was reported that more than 1,500 residents were asked to evacuate the area. (apnews.com)
Michael Graham, a member of the National Transportation of Safety board stated 14 cars in the derailment were handling vinyl chloride, and had been exposed to fire. Vinyl chloride is a flammable, colorless gas that is able to evaporate rapidly. The substance is used to make PVC, pipes, and plastic kitchenware. In relation to human health, long-term exposure to vinyl chloride provides an increased risk to liver, brain and lung cancer.
As stated by APnews, Michael Graham, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, reported last Saturday evening; “The post-derailment fire spanned about the length of the derailed train cars.” (apnews.com)
Last Sunday night, 500 residents that had refused to evacuate were sent urgent evacuation notices by Mike Dewine of Ohio. The said 500 residents refused to leave their homes in a one-mile radius of the derailment site. Mayor Trent Conaway had already declared a state of emergency in the area as ‘Derailment with hazardous materials’. Air quality proceeds through a one-mile radius of the site, staying within the zone would be troubling.
Photo by Gene J. Puksar. Monday, February 6, Large black smoke on site, photo taken of the view near the area.
February 6, Monday, residents of Palestine, Ohio are still not permitted to enter the area as the control process had been delayed. An operation to drain all the vinyl chloride in the area had been instated, but delayed till later in the day. The mayor referred to the scene as an ongoing event, he proceeded to ask everyone to evacuate until further measures.
As of Wednesday, February 8, officials have stated air and water samples tested near the site have been cleared, nothing had been deemed as hazardous or unsafe, allowing residents to return back to their homes.
U.S. Military Increasing Presence In Philippines, Gains Access to Four More Sites
U.S. Military Increasing Presence In Philippines, Gains Access to Four More Sites
Miguel S.
Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense arriving at a Manila military site on February 2, 2023. Pool photo by Rolex Dela Pena.
On January 26, 2023 the U.S. military was allowed access to four more bases and sites in the Philippines on top of five granted in 2016.
The four new sites are located in Isabela, Zambales, Palawan, and Cagayan de Oro respectively. The five sites already accessible for the U.S. military are Cesar Basa Air Base, Fort Magsaysay, the Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, and the Lumbia Air Base.
“Having increased U.S. access in Northern Luzon, close to Taiwan, is really ensuring that the Philippines and the U.S. alliance is going to have a front and center role in Northeast Asian security and deterrence,” said Drew Thompson, a former U.S. defense official told the New York Times.
The US’s military presence in the Philippines will be at the largest it has been for the last thirty years. This deal comes as Washington tries to reinforce its presence in Southeast Asia and counter Chinese influence by strengthening relationships with strategic allies and increasing military exercises.
The chance of a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan could potentially be deterred by Washington’s increasing presence in the Philippines, with the Philippines’ closest island, Itbayat only 93 miles off the coast of Taiwan.
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