Freight train carrying corn syrup derails in Arizona

A freight train carrying corn syrup derailed in Arizona's Mohave County, authorities said.

The wreck unfolded Wednesday night near the town of Topock, close to Arizona's border with California, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Anita Mortensen said.

Mortensen initially said the train was reported to have hazardous materials onboard, but said there had been no reports of spills. BNSF Railway confirmed in a statement Thursday that no hazardous materials were involved in the accident and that the freight train was carrying corn syrup.

No injuries were reported and the wreck was not blocking any travel in the area, Mortensen said.

The cause of the derailment was not immediately clear.

A tornado warning had been issued for Topock until early Wednesday evening, according to the National Weather Service. It was not clear whether severe weather played a role in the derailment.

Mortensen said officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and BNSF Railway were heading to the scene of the derailment. BNSF Railway said the cause of the crash was still under investigation.

"Approximately eight cars are reported to be derailed," BNSF said in a statement. "The main track is blocked and an estimated time for reopening the track is not available."

Wednesday’s incident is the latest in a string of recent train derailments that have deepened concerns about rail safety in the United States, including the derailment of a Norfolk Southern Railway train carrying toxic chemicals in Ohio last month that caused a fire and saw officials release chemicals into the local area to avoid a possible explosion.

The release of chemicals has sparked widespread backlash within the community of East Palestine, including a number of lawsuits alleging that the controlled release imperiled the health of residents, with some reporting symptoms including lingering coughs and chest pain.

Ohio further filed a complaint against Norfolk Southern Railway in federal court on Tuesday, alleging that the company violated hazardous waste and water quality laws and was negligent for causing the derailment and subsequent toxic chemical releases last month.

In the days since the high-profile Feb. 3 incident, at least two other Norfolk Southern trains have suffered derailments, including an incident in Springfield, Ohio, earlier this month. No hazardous materials were involved in the March 4 incident, however.

Days later, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Calhoun County, Alabama, just hours before company CEO Alan Shaw faced lawmakers to answer questions about the February derailment.