A freight train derailed in Matteson, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, on Thursday morning, leading to the evacuation of residents within a mile of the crash site. The incident occurred near the 21000 block of Main Street at approximately 10:45 a.m., as reported by local officials.
Authorities indicated that the train involved in the derailment belonged to the Canadian National Railway. The derailment resulted in a hazmat situation due to a leaking train car, prompting the evacuation of homes in the vicinity.
Residents living within a mile south of Main Street and 217th Street were issued a mandatory evacuation order, as well as those residing a mile west and a quarter of a mile east of Main Street. They were advised to prepare for a potentially long-term evacuation and were urged to gather essential medications and supplies before leaving their homes.
Canadian National Railway representatives are en route to the scene to oversee the investigation. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident. It was disclosed by a railway official that around 20 freight cars carrying various substances were involved in the derailment, although the exact cause of the train leaving the tracks remains unknown at this time.
