BREAKING: Train derails in Illinois, 'long-term' evacuations underway due to 'substances' on board

A train derailed in Matteson, Illinois on Thursday, leading to a mandatory evacuation of the surrounding area. 

The train in question is operated by the Canadian National Railway Company. According to a company spokesperson, crews were responding to the incident where about 25 cars derailed, including 10 cars with “various substances." While no fires or injuries have been reported, officials began investigating a train car leaking an unknown substance.

Residents within a designated evacuation zone— one mile south of Main Street and 217th Street, one mile west of Main Street, and a quarter mile east of Main Street—are required to evacuate, according to a spokesperson for the village. Authorities have advised residents to "plan for a long-term evacuation" and ensure they take any necessary medication and supplies they will need. 

ABC 7 Chicago reported that several residents were surprised by the evacuation order as they had not heard or smelled anything unusual at the time of the derailment. 

In a later update from Canadian National, the company revealed that the substance leaking was liquified gas and leaked a "limited amount of product" during the derailment. The leak was promptly contained and the company confirmed that there was no longer a "danger to public safety." The evacuation order was then lifted.

The cause of the derailment is unknown and is currently under investigation. Matteson police stated that additional information regarding the derailment will be released later on Thursday. 

“There is no immediate danger to the public, but we encourage everyone to remain clear of the area to allow crews to safely and efficiently conduct the clean-up process,” the village said in a statement.

Matteson, located in Cook County, Illinois, is a village approximately 30 miles south of downtown Chicago.

The incident comes after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a hearing on Tuesday about the East Palestine train derailment that occurred in February of 2023. The NTSB revealed that Norfolk Southern repeatedly attempted to interfere with its investigation into the East Palestine derailment and influence its conclusions about the decision to burn the vinyl chloride that was inside the derailed cars, according to the Associated Press.

The NTSB revealed that the 2023 derailment occurred because of a wheel bearing that was on fire for over 20 miles but wasn’t caught due to inaccurate trackside detectors. The board then approved over two dozen recommendations designed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Investigators further revealed that the decision to burn the contents of the tank cars, which included vinyl chloride, was "based on incomplete and misleading information provided by Norfolk Southern officials and contractors.” The investigation concluded that “the vent and burn was not necessary to prevent a tank car failure.”

This is a breaking story. Refresh for updates.