Louisiana orders evacuation after train derails

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Authorities evacuated 3,000 people on Saturday after a train derailment released deadly chemicals in the southern Louisiana town of Lafayette.

Two of out of the six railroad cars that came off the tracks are leaking hydrochloric acid, according to the Louisiana State Police. Hydrochloric acid in mist or liquid form can severely burn human skin, eyes, lungs and intestines.

Residents within a mile radius of the derailment were taken to a high school outside the city, said Andrew Shenkan, general manager of KATC-TV, which is operating a telephone information line for evacuees. The phone line was last activated for Hurricane Rita in 2005.

Those ordered to evacuate are being told to expect to be out of their homes for at least 48 hours, Shenkan said.

Lafayette has a population estimated at 114,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Doina Chiacu)