The enigma of the ‘chemical disaster’ in the US
The environmental disaster in the region as a result of the explosions that occurred after the derailment of the train carrying toxic chemicals in the state of Ohio, USA, continues to be discussed even after days.
According to national and international media reports, the amount of chemicals transported on the train is much higher than the official figures, and the region’s inhabitants are informed about mysterious ailments and animal deaths.
The Independent newspaper reported that the residents of the eastern Palestinian town in Ohio, who were affected and evacuated by the incident, which it described as an “environmental disaster”, did not want to return to their homes despite the “safe” report from the authorities. Many residents want to see the results of air samples taken from their homes before they return.
ILLNESS AND DEATH OF SURROUNDED ANIMALS
Many complaints from residents such as headaches, burning eyes, coughing, and weakness were included in the newspaper’s news, while images documenting the deaths of birds and fish in the region after the disaster were shared.
The New York Post newspaper, referring to the damage from chemicals being released into the environment, wrote that the amount of toxic chemicals carried by the train is much higher than advertised.
Environmental activist Erin Brockovich shared on her social media platform, citing the legal notice report sent by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the train operator: “This is why people don’t trust government. On the one hand, it cannot be said that there are harmful substances that contaminate and continue to contaminate the environment, and on the other hand, it is not possible to say to people ‘everything is fine’”.
REPORTER ARREST
On the other hand, the police arrest of the reporter who followed Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s press release on the event further inflamed discussions of the “chemical disaster” conundrum.
In the video shared by the news site NewsNation, police detained reporter Evan Lambert while he was broadcasting DeWine’s press release live. Lambert, who was detained for about five hours, said in a post he shared after he was released: “No reporter deserves to be detained while he does his job. I think it is very important that this does not happen in our country, ”he said.
The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office was said to have confirmed the arrest, but did not elaborate further on the matter.
In the environmental disaster that occurred in the US state of Ohio, explosions occurred after 50 cars of the 150-car train carrying chemicals derailed. After the explosions, it was decided to evacuate the inhabitants of the region due to the dispersion of high amounts of toxic chemicals in the environment. (AA)