Sulfuric acid spills from derailed train in Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia

A freight train carrying hundreds of thousands of liters of sulphuric acid has derailed in Australia’s Queensland state, with heavy monsoon rains hindering cleanup efforts.

The Australian reported that three drivers for Aurizon, the country’s largest rail freight firm, sustained injuries in the accident that saw 26 carriages come off the tracks Sunday around 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) east of Julia Creek town.

It cited a company spokesperson as saying two were released from a nearby hospital with the other set to follow.

Queensland police announced some sulphuric acid and diesel fuel had spilled after the derailment, declaring an “emergency situation.”

It reportedly took Queensland Rail workers hours to reach the site where the train – which had been transporting 200,000 liters of the acid, derailed to investigate the damage.

According to a 2014 Aurizon report, minor derailments cost the company more than A$1.3 million (nearly $950,000) last year.

MELBOURNE, Australia

A freight train carrying hundreds of thousands of liters of sulphuric acid has derailed in Australia’s Queensland state, with heavy monsoon rains hindering cleanup efforts.

It cited a company spokesperson as saying two were released from a nearby hospital with the other set to follow.

Queensland police announced some sulphuric acid and diesel fuel had spilled after the derailment, declaring an “emergency situation.”

It reportedly took Queensland Rail workers hours to reach the site where the train – which had been transporting 200,000 liters of the acid, derailed to investigate the damage.

According to a 2014 Aurizon report, minor derailments cost the company more than A$1.3 million (nearly $950,000) last year.