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Train derails in Van Buren Township; police say there is no threat to public

Alexander Oganezov - Stock.Adobe
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The derailment happened east of Belleville near Haggerty Road south of I-94.

Township police say there is no threat to the public, since no cars containing hazardous materials were among those that went off the rails.

Some of the rail cars belong to Norfolk Southern — the rail operator responsible for a derailment and the release of dangerous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio.

In a statement, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy says it is assessing the situation with local law enforcement.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement:

“My team and I have been in touch with Supervisor Kevin McNamara, the Van Buren Fire Department, and other local officials regarding the train derailment in Van Buren Township. We are also in touch with the relevant federal authorities, including the EPA. At this time no one is aware of the release of any hazardous materials, the car carrying hazardous material has been put upright and is being removed from the area of the other derailed cars, and EPA is dispatching a team to ensure public safety. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely and remain in touch with federal, state, and local officials, and release additional information as it becomes available.”

This is a developing story.