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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Accident Investigation Summary Report HQ-2023-1813

Document Series
Accident Investigations
Author
Federal Railroad Administration
Accident Date
Accident Type
Derailment (DRM)
Railroad Name
Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS)
Location

East Palestine, OH
United States

Accident Number
HQ-2023-1813
Investigation Status
Finalized
Subject Accident Investigations
Keywords
Norfolk Southern, NS, East Palestine, hazardous materials, wayside detector

On February 3, 2023, at 8:54 pm EST, Norfolk Southern (NS) Train 32N derailed at Milepost (MP) 49.5 on main track 1 of NS’s Fort Wayne Line Subdivision of the Keystone Division in East Palestine, Ohio.  The train was hauling 149 freight cars, including 20 tank cars containing hazardous materials.  Thirty-eight cars derailed, including 11 of the 20 tank cars containing hazardous materials.  Three of those tank cars were breached in the derailment, fueling a fire that damaged an additional 12 cars (none of which were carrying hazardous materials).  There were no reported fatalities or injuries as a direct result of the derailment, but as of the date of this report, NS has reported to FRA 24 minor injuries (18 civilian and six remediation contractors) due to inhalation hazards as a result of the fire that resulted from the derailment and subsequent hazardous materials remediation activities.  


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Last updated: Friday, July 19, 2024