One passenger died after smoke filled the L’Enfant Plaza metro station Monday afternoon, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said. A total of 84 people were taken to hospitals.
Metro Box Alarm Update: 84pts. transported to area hospitals with various injuries. Over 200 people evaluated.1 firefighter injured.
The National Transportation and Safety Board released a statement saying “an electrical arcing event” sparked the incident.
“There was an electrical arcing event involving the trackside power cables (the third rail),” said a statement from the NTSB’s Peter Knudson.
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Video from CNN affiliate WJLA showed emergency crews taking several people from the station on gurneys.
“@Keals2005: @IAFF36 L'Enfant Plaza metro scene right now pic.twitter.com/POiIWteaUw”thx Kealy!
CNN’s Catherine Shoichet, Janet DiGiacomo, Joe Johns and Eric Bradner contributed to this report.
