A train loaded with toxic materials explodes in Nebraska

A train carrying toxic chemicals exploded in the North Platte area of the US state of Nebraska earlier yesterday, causing columns of thick white smoke to rise that covered large areas of the site.

The local authorities worked to evacuate the area even 4 miles (about 6.4 km) from the explosion site due to the spread of perchloric acid, which is one of the basic components of rocket fuel, as the authorities rushed to deploy rescue teams and others to treat the toxic materials.

Local reports quoted officials in the region as saying that alerts had been sent to the railway stations in order to evacuate the area near the site of the explosion, while a source in the railway operating company was quoted as saying that none of the cars had derailed, and that the damaged cars had been parked a few hours before the explosion.