Train Derailment Causes Evacuations and Highway Closure in New Mexico

Rewritten Article:
A train derailment in New Mexico has caused chaos as 35 rail cars came off the tracks Friday afternoon. The incident prompted evacuations and forced a closure of a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 40. McKinley County Fire & Rescue responded to the scene around 12:40 p.m., where six train carriers were carrying propane, according to BNSF Railway. Due to this derailment and fire near the state line with Arizona, evacuation orders have been issued for residents within a two-mile radius of the incident site. The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched their investigators who are expected to arrive later Saturday evening to examine the train equipment involved in the derailment while conducting necessary documentations at the scene.
There haven’t been any reports on injuries yet, and BNSF says it is working with evacuated residents by providing accommodations as needed until safety can be ensured throughout this incident under Unified Command along with all local public safety agencies. Air monitoring and fire suppression assessments are still ongoing at the site, according to a statement released by BNSF Railway. The closure of Interstate 40 in both directions remains active, causing traffic rerouting until further notice as there is currently “no projected end” for this closure per New Mexico State Police on Facebook.
The Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has addressed the derailment via social media, stating that they are coordinating with state, Tribal and local agencies to ensure safety in the region while following guidance provided by authorities regarding detour information around I-40. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs also expressed her concerns about this incident through a statement on Twitter, assuring residents that their administration is working closely with New Mexico’s government as well as Secretary Buttigieg during these challenging times.