Train derails in US, forces evacuation

More than 10 train cars were derailed and no injuries or death have been reported so far. Emergency officials were not immediately aware of what the train was carrying.

Illinois: A train derailed in the US city of St. Louis on Tuesday afternoon which led to a massive fire and forced the evacuation of nearby residents.

More than 10 train cars were derailed and no injuries or death have been reported so far.

The St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency reported the train derailed about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the town of Dupo, about 14 kilometres south of St. Louis.

Large plumes of black smoke were coming from the fire.

Dupo police said that students at a grade school, junior high school and a high school were evacuated to a high school farther away.

Police added that a few hundred residents of a mobile home park and a subdivision near the tracks also were evacuated.

Emergency officials said that they were not immediately aware of what the train was carrying.