The Union Pacific Railroad train derailment happened at about 10:30 pm on Friday in the town of Keatchie in DeSoto Parish, about 48 km southwest of Shreveport, Louisiana State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom said.
“The initial investigation revealed that approximately 16 cars derailed, which caused the release of a corrosive liquid," Odom said. “In the best interest of public safety, a mandatory evacuation for everyone in a 1.5-mile radius was issued."
Preliminary inspection showed that 16 cars derailed and at least two are leaking “an acid-related" product, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office said.
Robyn Tysver, a spokesperson for Union Pacific, said two rail cars spilt propionic acid, which is used as a preservative, fungicide, and antimicrobial agent, and acetic anhydride, which is used in making plastics, drugs, dyes, perfumes, explosives, and aspirin but there's “no known impact to waterways at this time."
Hazardous material crews are on site coordinating remediation and clean up, she said.
Odom said there were no reports of injuries or fatalities but Tysver said three crew members were transported to an area hospital as a precaution and have been released.
There's no immediate word on when the evacuation order will be lifted, Odom said.
Both he and Tysver said what caused the derailment remains under investigation.
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
