Authorities in Ohio have given the green light to the consumption of water from the municipal network in the locality where a train carrying chemicals derailed.
This accident had raised fears among the inhabitants.
The governor of this American state, Mike DeWine, on Wednesday advised the inhabitants of the locality of East Palestine to consume bottled water while awaiting the results of tests.
These ultimately revealed "no detection of contaminants" and therefore "municipal water is safe to drink," the official tweeted.
East Palestine: New water testing results show no detection of contaminants in East Palestine's municipal water system.
With these test results, @OhioEPA is confident that the municipal water is safe to drink.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) February 15, 2023
Derailment and evacuation of hundreds of people
On February 3, this derailment caused a huge fire and the evacuation of several hundred people.
The train was carrying vinyl chloride, a carcinogenic and highly flammable chemical used in the manufacture of plastic.
The railway authorities had carried out "controlled" releases of this substance "to avoid a possible explosion", according to the governor's office.
On February 8, the authorities announced that the evacuated residents could return to their homes "in complete safety".
Residents, however, expressed their concern: some 3,500 fish died, according to the local department of natural resources.
The US agency responsible for investigating transportation accidents said its investigation into the causes of the derailment was continuing.
The governor promised to "hold accountable" the Norfolk Southern railway company.
She "should pay for everything," he said.
"They are responsible for what happened."
With AFP
The summary of the
France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 app