A freight train with hazardous materials has derailed near Rockwood in the US state of Maine, the state’s Governor Janet Mills said on Saturday.
“I have been briefed on the train derailment that occurred earlier today in Somerset County. The Maine Forest Service & Maine DEP [Department of Environmental Protection], along with local emergency personnel, have responded. Officials on site indicate that there is no threat to public health or safety,” she tweeted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rockwood Fire and Rescue informed about the Saturday incident via social media and advised local residents to stay clear. No evacuation orders were issued.
According to US media reports, none of the hazardous materials aboard the train caught fire, but a small forest fire did occur after the accident, which was contained later on Saturday.
The reports added that three rail employees were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Maine Forest Service in turn pointed out that \u201can early assessment indicates that the derailment may have been caused by a build-up of melting ice and debris that washed out part of the railroad track.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Saturday derailment is the latest in a series of such incidents in the US over the past several months. On February 3, a train carrying toxic materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, contaminating the environment and prompting major health concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n