Over 44,000 animals may have perished due to the chemical spill and burnoff caused by the Norfolk Southern train collision in Ohio, estimates by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The state agency calculated that more than 38,000 minnows perished due to the poisonous spill. An additional 5,500 species of fish, amphibians, and crayfish were probably affected. None of the mentioned animals were threatened or endangered species.

Authorities initially estimated that approximately 3,500 animals were killed as a result of the incident.

The organization also stated that the harm to aquatic wildlife, particularly, was most significant in the first twenty-four hours following the derailment and that there is currently no imminent danger to aquatic animals.

“Due to the containment of the poisons, we have not observed any new indicators of aquatic life suffering. In fact, fish have returned to Leslie Run,” Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Mary Mertz made the announcement.

The Environmental Protection Agency found at least five compounds that could have potentially spilled into the surrounding ecology in early February: vinyl chloride, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, butyl acrylate, and isobutylene.

The EPA charged Norfolk Southern with developing a feasible remediation strategy. “The Norfolk Southern train crash has disrupted the lives of East Palestine families, and the EPA’s order will ensure that the business is held accountable for endangering the community’s health and safety,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.