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Title: Acid leaks from derailed freight train in France

FRANCE: March 22, 2000 LYON - A freight train carrying nitric and hydrochloric acid was derailed in central France yesterday and local officials said toxic fumes were escaping from one of the cars. There were no reports of injuries in the accident near Saint-Etienne.

A spokesman for the government representative in the region said toxic fumes were escaping from one of three cars carrying nitric acid. Police cut off the main road running near the railway line and officials said it could remain closed for at least two days. The state railway company SNCF opened an inquiry into the accident.

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=6079

-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), March 21, 2000