Officials warned of a possible major explosion related to a 50-car train derailment in eastern Ohio and continue to urge residents within a 1-mile radius to evacuate.
More than 500 people within the evacuation zone in East Palestine failed to leave as of Sunday night, according to local officials. In response, Gov. Mike DeWine and other Ohio authorities threatened to arrest those who don’t cooperate.
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About 10 cars that derailed Friday night were transporting hazardous materials, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. DeWine announced late Sunday that a rail car experienced a “drastic temperature change,” posing the risk of an explosion that could send shrapnel as far as a mile away.
“Although teams are working to prevent an explosion from happening, residents living within a mile of the site are advised to immediately leave,” DeWine said.
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This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
The crash caused a massive fire in the village near the Pennsylvania border. No injuries have been reported and an investigation is underway to discover what caused the derailment.
There’s a strong probability a toxic gas emerged from the crash site, according to authorities, who didn’t specify the type of substance or say whether its release would pose a significant risk to residents. Officials previously said five of the derailed cars were carrying vinyl chloride, a chemical linked to multiple forms of cancer.
On Monday, authorities began blocking entry into East Palestine using military and police vehicles.
“I’m worried about leaving and not getting back,” said Mallory Burkett, whose family evacuated despite living outside the evacuation zone. “I’m definitely going to come back, but I’m not sure when.”
With News Wire Services