Two days ago, on June 26th, 2023, a tanker carrying ammonium nitrate overturned in Hagerstown, Maryland, causing nearby businesses to be evacuated. According to CBS News, the incident happened at around 11:43 AM, and the cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound that is commonly used as a fertilizer and in explosives. The potentially explosive nature of ammonium nitrate has led to concerns about the safety of its transportation. This incident comes just a month after about 60,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate went missing on a rail shipment from Wyoming to California in April, as reported by The New York Times.
The Hagerstown incident prompted the evacuation of nearby businesses, and roads in the area were closed. According to Fox 5 DC, the crash happened on Route 40 near the intersection of Route 66, and the overturned tanker was leaking the chemical. As a result, the area was deemed unsafe, and businesses were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The incident highlights the potential dangers of transporting hazardous chemicals. According to NBC News, the rail car carrying ammonium nitrate that went missing in April was operated by explosives manufacturer Dyno Nobel. The incident report filed by a company official stated that the rail car left a plant in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on April 12th.
As of now, there have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the Hagerstown incident. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures when transporting hazardous materials. It also underscores the need for heightened safety regulations to ensure the safe transportation of these materials in the future.
