Status: 02/24/2023 3:17 p.m
In early February, a freight train derailed in the village of East Palestine, Ohio. It was loaded with toxic, carcinogenic chemicals. Ex-President Trump now visited the place and used the tragedy for his election campaign.
The residents of East Palestine, Ohio, will probably not soon forget the huge plume of jet-black smoke hanging over their houses. Authorities had burned off spilled chemicals in a controlled manner to avoid an explosion.
38 wagons derailed in the freight train accident. Many were laden with toxic chemicals, including the carcinogenic substance vinyl chloride. Three weeks later, the residents of East Palestine are still in shock.
The place will never be the same, lamented 52-year-old local Barb Kugler on PBS. In fact, to this day, many people have not returned to their homes after the evacuation. Some residents complain of skin rashes, nausea and headaches as a result of the chemical accident. The fear is great that the drinking water is contaminated.
Locals feel let down
“You didn’t provide the people of East Palestine with information, you left them in the dark, you didn’t tell them what to do or who to contact. Their fear is still there,” says Erin Brockovich, America’s Welfare most famous environmental activist. She wasn’t the only one who personally saw the scene of the accident.
Transport Minister Pete Buttigieg also came to East Palestine yesterday – three weeks too late, as he was accused by all sides. Buttigieg said he wanted to give the Transportation Safety Administration time to conduct an independent investigation.
“I tried to find a balance. Between my desire to be here on site and my desire to fulfill my duties as Minister of Transport. That means giving priority to the traffic safety authority,” says Buttigieg.
Trump sharply attacks successor Biden
The train accident with the toxic chemicals is increasingly becoming a political pawn between Democrats and Republicans. Just a day earlier, ex-President Donald Trump had visited the scene of the accident and severely criticized the Biden government for its crisis management.
I sincerely hope that all representatives and politicians, including Biden, come here. When he comes back from his tour in Ukraine I hope he will have some money left over. This accident was a tragedy, almost an unbelievable tragedy that could have ended really badly.
The recently published investigation report by the traffic safety authority stated that an overheated wheel bearing was to blame and that the catastrophe could have been 100 percent avoided. Enough with the political squabbling, according to Transportation Safety Commissioner Jennifer Homendy. This is about a community that is suffering.
The Norfolk Southern railway company was asked to pay for air, soil and water clean-up. The clean-up work in East Palestine will probably continue for many months.
Toxic chemicals: Ohio train crash becomes a political pawn
Claudia Sarre, ARD Washington, February 24, 2023 1:42 p.m