A freight train carrying hot asphalt, molten sulfur and other hazardous materials plunged into the Yellowstone River in Montana early Saturday after a bridge collapsed, authorities said.
The Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office said no injuries were reported and no evacuations were ordered. The cause of the bridge failure was under investigation.
The train had 95 cars and three locomotives, and 30 of them derailed, according to Montana Rail Link. The company said it was working with local, state and federal agencies to assess the environmental impact and mitigate any damage.
The Yellowstone River is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states and a major tributary of the Missouri River. It is home to diverse wildlife and fish species, including the endangered pallid sturgeon.
Environmental groups expressed concern about the potential harm to the river and its ecosystem from the train derailment. The Montana Environmental Information Center said it was monitoring the situation closely and urged the public to report any signs of pollution or fish kills.
‘The Yellowstone River is one of Montana’s most iconic and beloved waterways, and we hope that this incident does not cause lasting damage to this treasure,’ the group said in a statement.
