Residents to return home after toxic leaks in Louisiana train derailment

Residents evacuated from toxic leaks of a train derailment accident in the U.S. state of Louisiana will be able to return home Thursday morning, authorities said.

The derailment, which happened on Sunday in Lawtell, some 100 km west of Louisiana's capital city Baton Rouge, once released hazardous chemicals and caused safety concerns.

Over 100 families who live near the site were evacuated immediately following the accident as a precaution and had been warned against returning homes until further notice.

Local sheriff's office said Monday that evacuated residents will have to report first and then be escorted home by a deputy and an employee from the Department of Environmental Quality who will conduct an air quality test of the home before residents move in.

At least 26 cars on the 76-car Union Pacific train went off the tracks in the accident. An engineer and a conductor were on the train at the time. Neither was hurt.

Earlier reports said 14 of the 26 derailed cars contained "regulated substances" that are harmful or toxic. At least three cars were reported to be leaking, one of them leaking sodium hydroxide, which can cause injuries or even death if it is inhaled or touches the skin.

Authorities did not say whether the leaks were fully contained Wednesday. Ditches were dug to isolate the leaking cars from its environs.

The cause of the derailment is still under investigation.