(The Associated Press circulated the following article on September 14.)
SALEM, Ill. — About 100 people were evacuated in southern Illinois after a freight train derailed Thursday, including three tankers carrying chemicals, officials said.
The tankers were being examined for leaks after the derailment north of Salem, a community of about 6,000 residents. There were no immediate reports of injuries, authorities said.
”There was some vapor, but we’re not sure what if anything is leaking,” said Illinois State Police Capt. Randy Milone.
Canadian National spokesman Jim Kvedaras said two derailed tankers contained phosphoric acid. He didn’t know what was in the third derailed tanker.
Illinois Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Patti Thompson said evacuation was mandatory within a half-mile, but had been recommended for residents living within a mile of the scene.