In another train derailment, 31 Union Pacific cars carrying coal derail in Nebraska, company says

More than two dozen Union Pacific train cars carrying coal derailed early Tuesday morning in Nebraska, the rail company confirmed. 

At roughly 1:45 a.m. central standard time, 31 Union Pacific train cars derailed in the city of Gothenburg, Nebraska, according to Union Pacific spokesperson Kristen South. 

South said there were no injuries. One of the train tracks near the derailment site reopened at 8 a.m. local time as crews moved in with heavy equipment to begin cleanup, according to South. 

South said the cause of the derailment in Nebraska is under investigation.

Tuesday’s derailment in Nebraska comes weeks after the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train near East Palestine, Ohio led to a major chemical spill that prompted evacuations and lingering health concerns from the community. 

Other recent train derailments in Ohio, Michigan

Ohio train derailment:

• The train derailment on Feb. 3 caused a controlled release of vinyl chloride, used to make plastic products, to prevent an explosion. 
• Federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. 
• The agencies maintain that the community’s air and water are safe after residents complained of headaches and skin rashes and expressed long-term health concerns. 

Michigan train derailment: 

Another Norfolk Southern train also derailed in Michigan last week. Thirty cars derailed around 30 miles west of downtown Detroit. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, said on Twitter that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, who responded to the derailment, found that the majority of derailed cars were empty and a rail car containing hazardous material was not derailed.