Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

News

President Biden Tours Site of Toxic Train Derailment in Ohio

President Joe Biden visits Ohio site of toxic train derailment

President Joe Biden made a significant visit on Friday to the location of last year’s major train derailment in the small village of East Palestine in northeastern Ohio.

Air Force One transported Biden to Pittsburgh at 2:25 p.m. EST, from where he proceeded by ground to East Palestine, arriving at 4:30 p.m. EST.

In his initial remarks, Biden reassured residents, stating, “We’re not going home, no matter what, until this job is done.”

Once on the ground in East Palestine, Biden received an operational update on the ongoing recovery efforts. The derailment, which occurred on Feb. 3, 2023, involved a Norfolk Southern freight train, resulting in the spillage of thousands of gallons of hazardous chemicals and triggering a multi-day fire. Additionally, the spill contaminated nearby drinking water sources.

Biden

Biden (Credits: Reuters)

The incident forced hundreds of residents residing in the village, which has a population of 4,700, to evacuate their homes.

The train was carrying 115,580 gallons of vinyl chloride, a hazardous gas without color.

A preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the train failed to stop after an audible alarm was activated due to an overheated wheel bearing.

Biden condemned the incident, attributing it to “an act of greed that was 100% preventable,” and emphasized the responsibility of Norfolk Southern. He mentioned an executive order he signed to hold the company fully accountable and ensure a comprehensive cleanup of the spill.

Furthermore, Biden announced the allocation of six National Institute of Health grants to institutions, including Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, to study the short- and long-term impacts of the spill.

The White House had confirmed earlier in the month that Biden would also meet with residents directly affected by the disaster.

The invitation for Biden’s visit came from East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, as stated by White House Press Secretary Katherine Jean-Pierre. Conaway had previously criticized the president for not visiting the disaster site shortly after the derailment last year.

The matter had become politically charged, with former President Donald Trump visiting the site on Feb. 22, 2023, and criticizing Biden’s absence.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited a day later to assess the toxic derailment and deliver a briefing on the disaster from the NTSB.

Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

We’re dedicated to providing you the most authenticated news. We’re working to turn our passion for the political industry into a booming online news portal.

You May Also Like

News

Spoilers! The demon Akaza from Kimetsu no Yaiba dies in the eleventh arc of the manga and the one responsible for his death is...

News

In the fiscal year 2022-23, Pakistan’s National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) granted a total of 1,596 net-metering licenses nationwide, collectively amounting to 221.05...

Entertainment

Actress Emma D’Arcy is from the British rebellion. She has only appeared in a small number of movies and TV shows. It might be...

Entertainment

Jennifer Coolidge Is Pregnant: Jennifer Coolidge Audrey Coolidge is a comedian and actress from the United States. Many of her followers are wondering if...