Latest news with #raildisaster
CBC
06-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Safety concerns still linger as Lac-Mégantic marks 12th anniversary of rail tragedy
Citizens of Lac-Mégantic, Que., are marking the 12th anniversary of a rail disaster that killed 47 people when a runaway train derailed and smashed into downtown. The town is commemorating the 2013 tragedy by lowering flags to half-mast, holding a moment of silence and laying flowers at the site of the derailment. Officials have also asked that the rail company not run trains through the area Sunday out of respect for the victims. The spokesman for a rail safety group believes not enough has been done to ensure the town's some 6,000 residents are safe from future disasters. Robert Bellefleur says trains have become longer and heavier, while a long-promised bypass to divert them from the city's core has not been built. "Previously, trains (had) an average of about 80 cars. (...) Trains now have more than 200 cars, are over 15,000 feet long, with large locomotives that often weigh more than 150 tonnes," he said. "These railways were designed for much lighter and smaller trains, which means that the railway infrastructure is really under major additional pressure." Meanwhile, Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland has issued a statement marking the anniversary and says completing the bypass is one of her priorities.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Advocate calls for better rail safety on 12th anniversary of Lac-Mégantic disaster
MONTREAL — Citizens of Lac-Mégantic, Que., are marking the 12th anniversary of a rail disaster that killed 47 people when a runaway train derailed and smashed into downtown. The town is commemorating the 2013 tragedy by lowering flags to half-mast, holding a moment of silence and laying flowers at the site of the derailment. Officials have also asked that the rail company not run trains through the area today out of respect for the victims. The spokesman for a rail safety group believes not enough has been done to ensure the town's some 6,000 residents are safe from future disasters. Robert Bellefleur says trains have become longer and heavier, while a long-promised bypass to divert them from the city's core has not been built. Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland has issued a statement marking the anniversary and says completing the bypass is one of her priorities. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2025. The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
