Midwest Train Derailment Disaster of 2048

The Midwest Train Derailment Disaster of 2048 refers to an incident where a privately owned train derailed over a river, carrying a shipment of oil. This led to the leaking of oil into a major river of the U.S, the Mississippi river, contaminating the water and paving the way for a potential environmental and ecological disaster. It also meant that water supplies relying on the natural flow of the national river were at risk of contamination. Additionally, the disaster highlighted flaws in infrastructure development and ail regulation across the region, which led to an outbreak of protesting and rioting in the capital of the state.

## Background

### Infrastructure Development

Previous investment by Governor Begula had led to over $100bn in spending over the course of multiple years, dedicating towards improvement of infrastructure across the state. This spending was authorised in the Midwest under The Infrastructure Bill, on January 1st, 2047. It directed funds towards the modernisation and expansion of train systems, roads, and bridges. Including 50% of this being directly spent on rail.

It is noted that Section 7 of the bill fails to introduce any actual implementation of the law, unless stakeholders come forward and offer proposals for development plans, and at the time of the event, it is unclear how much of the allocated funding had actually been spent on improvements.

Furthermore, critics of the Government in the aftermath of the event noted a lack of actual regulation concerning safety instructions, when carrying high risk product such as oil.

## Train Derailment

### Location and Cargo

The train derailed on a track near the Mississippi River, creating a spill of the petroleum based cargo that it was carrying, into the adjacent body of water.

## Aftermath

### Ecological Risks

The ecological risk of the disaster involve the contamination of local and national water supply, relying on the flowing national river bodies attached to the Mississippi River, the wipe out of endangered species that rely on the water beds as natural habitats, the potential oceanic damage as oil flows out into the open sea, and the risk to life of other animals and fauna that exist along the river.

There is also notable damage to the track itself, which will require significant investment in repairs.

### Outbreak of Demonstrations

As news of the event reached national fame, demonstrators angered with loopholes and the lack of guaranteed safety assurances relating to the carrying of senstive cargo, such as oil, flocked to the capital of the State to voice their concerns. These protests quickly developed into more sinister rioting, as they waited for a response from the State Government.

## Response

### Governor Begula's Executive Orders

In the aftermath of the event, the Governor of the Midwest announced that aid would be sent to affected citizens, as well as a task force of workers being sent to the location of the spill to try and assist with potential cleanup. A second executive order was later issued which contained more stringent and detailed response plans.

#### Immediate Relief Efforts

Governor Begula authorised the deployment of emergency response teams to the affected area, to asses the damage and provide immediate relief to affected areas and communities, prioritising cleanup.

#### Investigation and Accountability

The Executive Order also included a mechanism to direct state agencies to conduct a full and thorough investigation into all the potential parties involved in the incident, to gauge what went wrong in relation to regulation and planning, as well as how the train firm acted that may have also led to a negligence of duty.

#### Assistance Provided

Assistance provided under the executive order included; fresh and clean water, food, necessary medical supplies and other products that may be required for life sustainment.

#### Condemnation of Violence

The final clause in the order issued a plea to cease violence, asking that citizens maintain the use of legal means to voice opposition to the State Government and regulations in place, and promising swift and decisive law enforcement action if violent behaviour continued to erupt.