SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— Federal regulators are investigating the crash of a semitruck carrying a toxic substance in central Illinois, which has resulted in “multiple fatalities” and prompted the evacuation of area residents due to dangerous air conditions.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed on Saturday that they are looking into the incident near Teutopolis, where a tanker carrying anhydrous ammonia overturned, causing a hazardous cloud to form.
Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns reported that many emergency responders, including firefighters, EMTs, hazmat specialists, and police officers, are working to contain the situation. Authorities have not disclosed the exact number of casualties, though early reports suggested multiple fatalities.
The accident occurred on U.S. Highway 40, about half a mile east of Teutopolis, causing the release of anhydrous ammonia into the air. Residents within a one-mile radius of the spill, mainly on the east end of Teutopolis, were evacuated.
Anhydrous ammonia is used by farmers for fertilization and as a refrigerant, and is transported by pipeline, truck, and train across the United States. The chemical has been involved in previous incidents, such as a 2019 toxic gas cloud in suburban Chicago and a 2002 train derailment in North Dakota, causing fatalities and injuries.
Efforts to mitigate the chemical leak and secure the accident scene were hampered by shifting winds, making it difficult for emergency crews to work throughout the night to address the situation. The area remained heavily blockaded, and local authorities urged residents to be patient as they focus on the spill and its impact.
As of now, the exact cause of the crash and the resulting fatalities remain under investigation, and authorities are working to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected community.