13,000 Litres of Aviation Fuel Spill After B.C. Train Derailment
In a recent incident, a train derailment near Kamloops Lake in British Columbia led to a significant environmental concern. The Environment Ministry of British Columbia estimates that approximately 13,000 litres of aviation fuel spilled as a result of the derailment.
Details of the Train Derailment
On Saturday evening, a train operated by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) derailed about 20 kilometres west of Kamloops. The incident involved approximately 17 rail cars, with four carrying aviation fuel and five transporting gypsum, a material commonly used in drywall production.
Fuel Spill Impact
The preliminary estimates indicate that around 12,700 litres of aviation fuel were released into the environment. Cleanup efforts are currently underway to manage the situation effectively. Here are the key details:
- Location: Near Kamloops Lake, British Columbia
- Date of Incident: Saturday evening
- Estimated Fuel Spill: 13,000 litres of aviation fuel
- Rail Cars Involved: 17 cars (4 with fuel, 5 with gypsum)
- Injuries: None reported
Containment and Cleanup Efforts
Containment booms have been deployed in Kamloops Lake to mitigate the spread of the aviation fuel. An update issued by the Environment Ministry indicated that fuel was transferred from one rail car, and the siphoning process from another is expected to take place soon. Despite these efforts, some sheen from the fuel was observed beyond the containment area due to windy conditions.
Ongoing Investigation
The cause of the derailment is currently under investigation. Water quality sampling has been conducted, but results are still pending. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to assess any further environmental impact.
As cleanup operations progress, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of the surrounding environment and community.
