By Iclal Turan
WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden visited the rural village of East Palestine in the state of Ohio on Friday, more than one year after a train derailment caused a hazmat evacuation.
Biden commended the community’s strength in the aftermath of the disaster and said officials “will stay here as long as it takes to get everything done.”
The president described the crash as “an act of cruelty that was 100% preventable,” and said his administration had been urging railroad companies to implement additional safety measures prior to the Norfolk Southern derailment.
“Multibillion-dollar railroad companies transporting toxic chemicals have a responsibility to do it safely,” said Biden.
Norfolk Southern, he said, “failed.”
“While there are acts of God,” Biden said, “this was an act of greed.”
“Norfolk Southern failed its responsibility,” he added.
The visit comes after facing criticism for not making the trip sooner, with some Republicans accusing the president of ignoring the community due to its history of voting Republican.
The derailment occurred Feb. 3, 2023, in which 38 cars derailed, including 11 containing hazardous materials, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate for days.