This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
7/11/2025
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently completed its investigation into a hazardous materials release that occurred when a BNSF Railway Co. freight train derailed in New Mexico on April 26, 2024.
The westbound BNSF train derailed 35 rail cars near Manuelito, New Mexico. The derailed equipment included six U.S. Department of Transportation specification 112A340W tank cars loaded with liquified petroleum gas. Four of the tanks were breached during or after the derailment, NTSB officials said in the report.
Due to the threat of an explosion, the local fire department evacuated a 2-mile radius and closed Interstate 40 in both directions. Portions of the highway was closed for about 48 hours. The evacuation, which displaced 52 people, and road closure were lifted on April 28. No injuries were reported.
The accident illustrated that cascading hazardous materials releases can occur in trains other than designated high-hazard flammable trains. The NTSB reiterated its previous recommendation that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration should expand the definition of high-hazard flammable trains.
The full NTSB report on the derailment can be read here.