Kentucky Train Derailment Forces Thanksgiving Evacuations

A train derailment in Kentucky resulted in a chemical fire that forced evacuations of some residents on Thanksgiving day.

The CSX train derailed near the small town of Livingston around 2:30 p.m. local time on Thursday.

Train derailment forces Thanksgiving evacuations in Kentuckyhttps://t.co/g0Q3SRCXl2

— The Hill (@thehill) November 24, 2023

"CSX said two of the train’s 16 cars that derailed carried molten sulfur, which caught fire. There were two cars carrying magnesium hydroxide, but the company said there is no indication they were breached," the Hill reported.

“The remaining cars were either empty or carrying non-hazardous products like grain or plastic,” the company’s statement said.

Kentucky derailment: Small town urged to evacuate after train derails, spilling chemicals https://t.co/I2ocictbIG pic.twitter.com/Q2adegGsZU

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) November 23, 2023

"Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement that local officials in Rockcastle County were encouraging residents of Livingston, with a population of about 200, to evacuate. News outlets reported that a shelter was opened at a local middle school," the Associated Press reported.

"By issuing a state of emergency, we are ensuring that every state resource is available to help keep our families safe," Beshear said.

An investigation is pending and it was unclear what caused the train derailment, according to officials.

The derailment adds to growing concerns over similar incidents since a tragedy in East Palestine, Ohio led to a massive toxic fire that led to national controversy over the slow federal response.

The Biden administration has vowed to do more to stop future issues, it has claimed, but multiple related incidents have occurred in recent months.

For a small town in Kentucky, the incident also created Thanksgiving chaos, with residents fleeing to shelter in a nearby school.