NTSB discusses East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment causes, detail investigation

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (NewsNation) — Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, will learn more Tuesday about last year’s toxic Norfolk Southern freight train derailment that upended their lives.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding its final meeting at East Palestine High School to discuss why the train derailed and address the release of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. It’s also expected to address recommendations to prevent future disasters.

However, residents claim they’re losing their health and homes while Norfolk Southern faces minimal consequences.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy hosted the meeting, opening with an apology to the East Palestine community on behalf of NTSB.

“The absence of a fatality or injury does not mean the presence of safety,” Homendy said.

The NTSB’s final report on the derailment won’t be published for several weeks; however, the agency said it will release an executive summary after Tuesday’s meeting. It follows new data that shows 16 states across the country were impacted by fumes burned in the small Ohio town.

‘It should never have occurred’: NTSB chair

Dozens of freight cars derailed Feb. 3, 2023, on the outskirts of East Palestine near the Pennsylvania border, including 11 carrying hazardous materials. Residents evacuated as fears grew about a potential explosion, and officials intentionally released and burned toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars, sending flames and black smoke into the air despite the potential health effects.

NewsNation’s chief investigative reporter Rich McHugh asked Homendy if the venting and burning of tanker cars after the crash was necessary.

“That’s going to be answered (Tuesday),” Homendy said.

When asked about her biggest concern after spending a year and a half investigating the incident, Homendy said, “It should never have occurred. I said this from day one. It was 100% preventable. It was 100% preventable. It should never have occurred in the first place.”

Residents still seeking answers

Homendy held a community meeting for residents Monday, where they thanked her and the NTSB for its investigation. However, they emphasized that the NTSB couldn’t help the community with some of their biggest concerns.

Residents are desperately seeking answers regarding their homes, new vinyl chloride findings in town, lack of health care access and the proposed civil class-action lawsuit against Norfolk Southern, with the signing deadline just a week away, among other issues.

“This is not just an East Palestine issue; you see 16 states. Not only should people be concerned because it spread to 16 states, but that it happened at all. This could have been any American’s backyard that this happened in and they’d be treating you the same way,” said East Palestine resident Jami Wallace.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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