Norfolk Southern train derails in East Palestine Ohio toxic vinyl chloride spilled and burned

A 150-car Norfolk Southern freight train derails near East Palestine, Ohio, at the Pennsylvania border, with 50 cars leaving the tracks including 10 carrying hazardous materials. Five tanker cars carrying vinyl chloride are intentionally vented and burned in a "controlled release" to prevent a larger explosion, sending a toxic plume over the region. More than 2,000 residents are ordered to evacuate. The disaster provokes national outrage over railroad deregulation and Biden's absence, he does not visit East Palestine for more than a year. Two months earlier, Biden had signed legislation blocking railroad workers from striking over the same dangerous working conditions they said caused the crash. Former President Trump visits within weeks to criticize the federal response.