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US authorities silent about major man-made disaster in Ohio, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova recommended that US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States Victoria Nuland take personal control of the situation

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Russian Foreign Ministry/TASS

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova

© Russian Foreign Ministry/TASS

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. The US authorities are silent about a major man-made disaster involving the derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday.

"On February 3, 50 cars of a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed near East Palestine, Ohio. What is happening in this state appears to be the largest man-made disaster in recent times in terms of threats to the environment, human life and health. Notably, its details are only beginning to emerge," the diplomat noted, adding that reporters had been initially denied access to the derailment site.

Zakharova recommended that US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States Victoria Nuland take personal control of the situation. "Victoria, we know you for a person who was in charge of the information at the Department of State, but in general, you are a public figure. Could you take personal control of the situation around the derailment of 50 cars carrying toxic chemicals, which took place in your own country? Tell us what is happening there and bring some democracy to life in the United States. Your people miss it," Zakharova said.

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Foreign policy Maria Zakharova

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