Zakharova: US actively covering up Ohio catastrophe

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Feb 2023 15:59
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The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova says that the US is covering up a massive ecological disaster in Ohio.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova attends the annual news conference in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, January 18, 2023 (AP).

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, on Friday, stated that the US has actively hushed up the freight train derailment in Ohio, which resulted in an ecological disaster due to toxic chemical leakage.

"The Biden administration is diligently hushing up US failures caused by local regulators' missteps related to the transportation of goods hazardous to human health," Zakharova told a press brief.

The official went on to say that the US government is currently taking every precaution to prevent being questioned on the catastrophe.

A freight train transporting toxic cargo derailed in Ohio on February 3. The derailment caused a fire and an explosion which consequently resulted in toxic chemicals being discharged into the sky.

Despite being described as one of the worst ecological disasters to hit the #US, the train derailment in #Ohio isn't getting enough media coverage. Instead, suspected #UFOs are getting all the attention. pic.twitter.com/cRgZ19FyTF
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 15, 2023

According to media sources, authorities burned vinyl chloride inside five tanker containers three days after the incident, thus releasing hydrogen chloride and phosgene. The Environmental Protection Agency stated that the surrounding air and water are safe for inhabitants; nevertheless, further examinations were performed on a regular basis to maintain public health safety.

Nonetheless, local media stated that over 3,500 fish died in rivers near the derailment and numerous neighbours reported feeling queasy and getting headaches when harmful compounds were discharged into the air.

Ohio asks Biden for medical experts on ground near train wreck site

Ohio Governor Mark DeWine demanded help from President Joe Biden in deploying medical experts on the ground in the town of East Palestine where a train wreck caused a huge fire, and the release of the toxic chemical vinyl chloride, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director Anne Vogel said on Thursday.

"This morning the Governor did talk with President Biden, he has requested assistance from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]," Vogel said during a press conference in East Palestine.

"He has requested assistance in terms of medical professionals on the ground to provide physical and mental behavioral health counseling services. so that request was formalized just a little bit ago," she added.

EPA chief Michael Regan advised those experiencing any adverse health reaction to seek immediate medical attention and to communicate with health agencies to provide them with relevant information.

Three days following the train derailment, authorities burned vinyl chloride inside five tanker cars, which released hydrogen chloride and phosgene, media reports say.

Tests indicate that the surrounding air and water are safe for residents, according to the EPA; however, more tests are being conducted on a daily basis to ensure public health safety.

In the meantime, after the toxic chemicals were released into the air following the derailment, around 3,500 fish died in waterways near the derailment, and many residents complained about symptoms like nausea and headaches.

It is worth noting that after the worst ecological disaster hit Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine invited evacuated residents to go back to their homes and drink from the polluted water, claiming it is "safe".

An area to which scientists and engineers weren't granted access under the pretext of not putting them "in harm's way" less than 2 weeks ago was allegedly announced "safe" by the Governor.