Firefighters continue to fight a large fire caused by a chemical leak in eastern Czech Republic after a freight train carrying benzene - a highly flammable and toxic liquid - derailed and ignited the damaged tank cars, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The incident occurred around 12:00 local time (13:00 Bulgarian time) near the village of Hustopeče na Bečvy in the eastern Olomouc region. The fire caused thick black smoke that could be seen from a great distance.
The highest fire danger level has been declared, Radio Prague reported earlier today.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation. There are no reports of injuries at this time.
The nearest houses in the city are about 500 meters from the fire, but the smoke has not yet reached them, the AP notes.
Firefighters reported that 15 of the 17 tankers caught fire. Each tanker contained about 65 tons of the toxic liquid. Firefighters used a helicopter to tackle the flames, while colleagues from neighbouring Slovakia travelled to help.
Authorities said no excessive levels of hazardous substances had been found in the town, but advised residents of Hustopeče nad Bečví and nearby towns and villages not to open their windows and to stay indoors.
The incident in the Czech Olomouc region has caused rail transport on the Puhov - Hranice nad Moravě line in northern Slovakia to be suspended, the state-owned railway operator said on social media, according to Slovak news agency TASR.