Train Derailment Caused by the Loosening of Two M10 Nuts
A seemingly trivial mistake involving two M10 nuts and washers resulted in a set of circumstances arising that ultimately caused a major disaster. On August 26, 2020, at approximately 11:04 PM, a train carrying 25 loaded tank wagons derailed near Llangennech in Wales, UK. Ten of the wagons derailed spilling 446,000 liters of fuel, three of the tanks caught fire consuming about 116,000 liters. The remaining spilled fuel caused extensive environmental damage to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Nearby residents were evacuated late at night by emergency services due to the risk of a large explosion occurring. It took 33 hours for the fire and rescue service to extinguish the fi re. The train derailment is estimated to have cost £60 million (US$ 82 million) in cleanup and repairs.