train derailment
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A CSX freight train derailed near the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station Sunday morning, leaving several cars overturned and a hazardous leak coming from at least one car, according to city officials.

Upwards of 10 cars derailed from a train bound for Hamlet, North Carolina, from Cumberland, Maryland, about 6:40 a.m.

The leak of sodium hydroxide, described as coming from one full tank car, was finally "plugged," and emergency responders, including hazmat crews, had moved on to the clean-up phase, officials said during a 10:45 a.m. press conference.

"CSX operations and hazardous materials personnel are working with first responders on the derailment this morning in Washington D.C." CSX said in a statement. "The safety of the community, first responders and CSX's employees is our highest priority."

The company confirmed that a derailed car was leaking sodium hydroxide, used primarily "to produce various household products including paper, soap and detergents."

Rhode Island Avenue was closed in both directions from 4th to 12th Streets NE until 12:30 p.m.

The Red Line's Rhode Island Station was still closed at that time however. Metro said it would establish bus shuttle service between the NoMa and Brookland stations. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the Amtrak Capital Limited line to Chicago is also affected. There has been no word whether the Marc Brunswick line that uses that track weekdays will be interrupted on Monday.

CSX released the following statement at 8:45 a.m. :
At 6:40 a.m. on May 1, a CSX train traveling from Cumberland, Md. to Hamlet, N.C. derailed approximately 10 cars near 9thStreet and Rhode Island Ave. near the Rhode Island Ave. Metro station. The CSX train had three locomotives and 175 total cars, including 94 loaded cars carrying mixed freight, and 81 empties. One derailed car is leaking sodium hydroxide, which is used to produce various household products including paper, soap and detergents. CSX is working with first responders to contain the released product.

We are grateful for the swift response from Washington D.C. first responders and other agencies. CSX is working closely with them on this incident.

No injuries have been reported. We will provide updates when available.
This story is developing.