Thirty-five rail cars of a train derailed in New Mexico Friday afternoon, prompting evacuations and forcing a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 40 to close.
McKinley County Fire & Rescue was dispatched around 12:40 p.m. Friday after the train derailed and caught fire off Interstate 40 near the state line.
Six of the derailed train cars were carrying propane, according to BNSF Railway.
Evacuation orders were issued and remain in place for residents within a two-mile radius of the derailment and fire along the New Mexico state line with Arizona, according to an update from BNSF Railway.
Interstate 40 also remains closed in both directions and traffic is being rerouted, BNSF said.
There is currently “no projected end to this closure,” said New Mexico State Police on Facebook.
“I am deeply concerned about the train derailment along the Arizona-New Mexico border and am monitoring the situation closely,” Hobbs wrote.
As we learn more about the situation on the ground, the State of Arizona stands ready to deploy the resources necessary to keep our communities safe.”
A train carrying thirty-five rail cars derailed in New Mexico on Friday afternoon, resulting in evacuations and the closure of a fifty-mile section of Interstate 40.
At approximately 12:40 p.m., McKinley County Fire and Rescue was dispatched. M. Around the state line on Interstate 40, the train derailed and caught fire on Friday. The BNSF Railway claims that propane was on board six of the derailed train cars.
According to an update from BNSF Railway, residents within a two-mile radius of the derailment and fire near the New Mexico-Arizona state line are still under evacuation orders.
According to BNSF, traffic is being diverted and Interstate 40 is still closed in both directions. The New Mexico State Police stated on Facebook that there is “no projected end to this closure” at this time.
This Saturday afternoon, a group of investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are anticipated. The train and other equipment involved in the derailment will be examined by their investigators once they arrive on the scene, according to the NTSB.
BNSF reported that the site is still undergoing air monitoring and fire suppression assessments.
There have been no reported injuries. According to BNSF, it is currently assisting the locals who were forced to evacuate and will arrange for the required housing and accommodations.
Assuring the community’s safety and well-being throughout the incident, BNSF, in collaboration with all local public safety agencies, is dedicated to operating within Unified Command, according to the release.
In a social media post, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg addressed the large derailment and stated, “We are coordinating across state, tribal, and local agencies to ensure safety in the region.”. Regarding information about detours around I-40, kindly heed state and local guidelines. “.
Arizona Gov. In response to the derailment, Katie Hobbs also posted comments on social media.
Hobbs wrote, “I am closely monitoring the situation and am deeply concerned about the train derailment along the Arizona-New Mexico border.”. Secretary Buttigieg and the government of New Mexico are in communication with my administration. The State of Arizona is prepared to mobilize the resources required to ensure the safety of our communities as we obtain additional information about the situation on the ground. “.
