Story perspectives

NTSB Blames Culvert Collapse for ND Hazardous Material Train Fire

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

The NTSB determined that an undetected culvert collapse caused the July 5, 2024 derailment near Bordulac, North Dakota.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City train 242-03 derailed 29 cars, including 17 hazardous-material tank cars.
Five breached methanol tanks ignited a pool fire that ruptured three anhydrous ammonia tanks, releasing both chemicals.
The board recommended that PHMSA set thermal performance standards for poison-inhalation-hazard tank cars and require physical separation from flammable-material cars.

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Story summary

The NTSB determined that an undetected culvert collapse caused the July 5, 2024 derailment near Bordulac, North Dakota.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City train 242-03 derailed 29 cars, including 17 hazardous-material tank cars.
Five breached methanol tanks ignited a pool fire that ruptured three anhydrous ammonia tanks, releasing both chemicals.
The board recommended that PHMSA set thermal performance standards for poison-inhalation-hazard tank cars and require physical separation from flammable-material cars.