In Bordulac, North Dakota, all the rail cars that carried hazardous materials have been taken away from the site of a recent derailment, according to a CPKC official on Monday. CPKC spokesperson Patrick Waldron mentioned that repairs on the tracks were finalized early Monday, and train operations resumed after safety checks on the tracks. The incident, which occurred before dawn on Friday, resulted in 29 CPKC train cars derailing in a wetland area surrounded by farmland approximately 140 miles northwest of Fargo. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the derailment.
The train involved in the accident was transporting anhydrous ammonia and other dangerous substances. Following the detection of low levels of anhydrous ammonia by air monitors on Sunday, authorities briefly advised local residents in the areas of Stutsman and Foster counties in east-central North Dakota to remain indoors. Andrew Kirking, the emergency management coordinator for the counties, stated that no injuries were reported due to the leak, and the shelter-in-place notice was rescinded later on Sunday once the air quality returned to normal.
Exposure to high concentrations of airborne ammonia can lead to severe effects such as eye, nose, throat, and respiratory tract irritation, potentially causing blindness, lung harm, or even death, as stated by health experts. Even exposure to lower levels of ammonia can cause symptoms like coughing, nose, and throat irritation. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Railroad Administration are conducting investigations to determine the cause of the derailment.