500 pounds of explosives missing from US train

More than 500 pounds of explosives have been stolen from a US freight train, prompting Federal law enforcement authorities to carry out a search in at least three states, a report says.

The train belonging to CSX Transportation was traveling from Chicago to Detroit through the Midwestern US state of Ohio. After the train car of explosives arrived in Detroit, the Federal investigators realized that half of the shipment was gone, the CBS News reported on Friday.

Technically the explosives are classified as fireworks but because they are commercial grade combined with the quantity makes them extremely dangerous, said a spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) in Detroit.

Calling this a very serious case, the spokesman said, the amount, which equals nearly 227 kilograms, has authorities concerned that the explosives could fall into the wrong hands.

Authorities say at least 32 cases of the explosives are missing.

An official with the ATF said to Fox News that investigators believe the theft may have occurred when the train made a stop in Ohio on the way to its final destination.

The explosives were described as 2 ½ to 5 inch aerial fireworks that are regulated. As the official explained, handlers must have a permit before using and they are not to be set off by the general public, only professionals.

The search is reportedly underway in three states of Michigan, Ohio and Illinois.

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