EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited East Palestine, Ohio, on Thursday to tour the site where a train wrecked nearly three weeks ago as the government faces growing criticism over the federal response to the derailment.The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report Thursday on the derailment.
NTSB officials have scheduled a news conference at 1 p.m. ET to discuss their findings.A mechanical issue with a rail car axle is suspected to be the cause of the derailment, and the NTSB said it has video appearing to show a wheel bearing overheating just beforehand.READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the toxic chemicals aboard the derailed train in OhioThe Feb.
3 derailment led to evacuations and fears of air and water contamination after a controlled burn of toxic chemicals aimed at preventing an explosion.Ron Fodo, Ohio EPA Emergency Response, looks for signs of fish and also agitates the water in Leslie Run creek to check for chemicals that have settled at the bottom following the train derailment prompting health concerns on February 20, 2023 in Eas The Biden White House has defended its response to the derailment, saying officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, National Transportation Safety Board and other agencies were at the rural site within hours of the derailment.
The White House says it has also offered federal assistance and FEMA has been coordinating with the state emergency operations center and other partners.Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during The National Association of Counties (NACo) 2023 Legislative Conference at the Washington Hilton on Monday, February 13, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images).