PRAGUE — In the eastern part of the Czech Republic, firefighters faced an arduous task on Friday as they tackled a significant chemical fire after a freight train was derailed, igniting carcinogenic benzol from damaged tank wagons.
The derailment occurred shortly after noon local time, close to the train station in the town of Hustope?e nad Be?vou, sending ominous black smoke billowing into the sky, visible from afar. While the exact cause of the derailment remains under investigation, authorities confirmed that fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
The closest residential area in the town is situated approximately 500 meters, or about a quarter mile, away from the blaze. As of now, the smoke has not reached these homes.
The fire involved 15 out of the 17 tanks on the train, each containing around 60 metric tons of the hazardous benzol. Firefighters deployed a helicopter in an effort to contain the blaze, and additional support was en route from neighboring Slovakia to assist in the firefighting efforts.
Officials reported that no levels of hazardous substances had been detected that would exceed safety limits in the town. Nevertheless, residents, including those in adjacent towns and villages, were advised to stay indoors and keep their windows shut as a precautionary measure.
Benzol, a compound containing benzene, toluene, and xylene, is often used in the production of various chemicals. The incident has raised concerns about the potential health and environmental impacts, prompting authorities to take careful monitoring measures.
