Ohio Train Crash Answers May Not Be Enough to Quell the Fury (1)

When a Norfolk Southern Corp. train derailed earlier this month, creating a fiery crash that spilled chemicals across a small Ohio town, long-simmering tensions in the US ignited along with it.

While the crash didn’t cause any injuries or deaths, it has become a focal point of grievances and suspicions. Some have said corporate greed is taking precedence over rail safety and environmental protection. Others have accused the federal government of downplaying the incident because of the town’s conservative political leanings.

The site of a derailed freight train in East Palestine, Ohio.

Source: NTSB/Xinhua/Getty Images

Underneath the hot-tempered debate, investigators are seeking to understand the root cause of the crash and how such ...