State of Emergency declared after West Virginia US oil train derailment

LONDON (ICIS)–A State of Emergency was declared in Kanawha and Fayette counties, West Virginia, following the derailment of a 109-car train carrying Bakken crude oil in the area, state Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said late on Monday.

Operated by US-headquartered rail company CSX, the train derailed in Fayette County at 13.20 EST on Monday on a journey from North Dakota to Yorktown, Virginia, affecting residents of both counties, Tomblin said.

CSX said in an update late on Monday that it was continuing its assessment to determine the number of cars derailed and the resulting oil loss, and was working to contain oil found in a creek running parallel to its tracks.

The derailment resulted in huge fires, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of residents nearby. One person was being treated for possible respiratory problems, but no other injuries had been reported as of Monday night, CSX added.

The cause of the derailment is being investigated.

Footage of the derailment can be foud here.