An aerial view of burnt train cars after a train derailment and explosion in Lac-Megantic, Quebec July 8, 2013
Reuters reported that at least 15 were killed and 35 missing in the Lac-Megantic train disaster.
The owner of the runaway train is Montreal, Maine & Atlantic.
The Canadian Press reported that Quebec provincial police Insp. Michel Forget revealed that police are not leaning towards terrorism as a hypothesis, but are more likely exploring the possibility of criminal negligence; and the result is that the down town core of Lac-Megantic falls within a security perimeter and trespassers could be charged with obstructing justice if they venture into what police are calling “the red zone.”
Rail-company officials and residents who need to go to the site will have to get a police escort.
The disaster began late Friday night, when the 73-car train loaded with a cache of crude oil was parked on a siding slope at Nantes train yard.
Somehow the oil tanker train broke free and rolled about 11 kilometres into Lac-Megantic, before it derailed and exploded shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, causing a huge explosion and deadly ball of flame, turning the lakeside community into a charred war zone.
The oil has polluted the nearby Chaudiere River, where about 100,000 litres of oil have spilled.
Lac-Megantic, the town of about 6,000 people has lost most of its down town including with a library, a waterfront park, and dozens of homes and businesses.
Meanwhile, Lac-Megantic’s mayor said Tuesday that about 1,200 residents were being allowed home.
This is a disaster.
Here are some photos.
A firefighter walks past a burning train wagon at Lac Megantic, Quebec, July 6, 2013. Several people were missing after four tank cars of petroleum products exploded in the middle of a small town in the Canadian province of Quebec early on Saturday in a fiery blast that destroyed dozens of buildings. REUTERS/Mathieu Belanger
A layer of crude oil lies on the surface of La Chaudiere River as it flows from the town of Lac Megantic, Quebec, July 7, 2013. A driverless freight train carrying tankers of petroleum products derailed at high speed and exploded into a giant fireball in the middle of the small Canadian town of Lac-Megantic early on Saturday, destroying dozens of buildings.The death toll, currently five, could rise to nearly 50 if people reported missing are not found. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
A layer of crude oil lies on the surface of La Chaudiere River as it flows from the town of Lac Megantic, Quebec, July 7, 2013. A driverless freight train carrying tankers of petroleum products derailed at high speed and exploded into a giant fireball in the middle of the small Canadian town of Lac-Megantic early on Saturday, destroying dozens of buildings.The death toll, currently five, could rise to nearly 50 if people reported missing are not found. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
A firefighter works at the site of the train explosion in Lac Megantic, July 7, 2013. At least five people died and 40 were missing on Sunday after a runaway train carrying crude oil exploded and destroyed the center of a small Canadian town in a disaster that raises fresh questions about shipping oil by rail. REUTERS/Paul Chiasson/Pool
Fire from a train explosion is seen in Lac Megantic, July 6, 2013. At least five people died and 40 were missing on Sunday after the runaway train carrying crude oil exploded and destroyed the center of a small Canadian town in a disaster that raises fresh questions about shipping oil by rail. REUTERS/Stringer
Homes are seen near the wreckage of a train derailment in Lac Megantic, Quebec, July 7, 2013. A driverless freight train carrying tankers of petroleum products derailed at high speed and exploded into a giant fireball in the middle of the small Canadian town of Lac-Megantic early on Saturday, destroying dozens of buildings and leaving an unknown number of people feared missing.REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
A firefighter works on the scene of a train derailment in Lac Megantic, Quebec, July 7, 2013. A driverless freight train carrying tankers of petroleum products derailed at high speed and exploded into a giant fireball in the middle of the small Canadian town of Lac-Megantic early on Saturday, destroying dozens of buildings and leaving an unknown number of people feared missing.REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Melted siding on a home is seen near the scene of a train derailment in Lac Megantic, Quebec, July 7, 2013. A driverless freight train carrying tankers of petroleum products derailed at high speed and exploded into a giant fireball in the middle of the small Canadian town of Lac-Megantic early on Saturday, destroying dozens of buildings and leaving an unknown number of people feared missing.REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
A burnt out vehicle sits near the wreckage of a train car after a train derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, July 7, 2013. A driverless freight train carrying tankers of petroleum products derailed at high speed and exploded into a giant fireball in the middle of the small Canadian town of Lac-Megantic early on Saturday, destroying dozens of buildings and leaving an unknown number of people feared missing. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Fire from a train explosion is seen in Lac Megantic, July 6, 2013. At least five people died and 40 were missing on Sunday after the runaway train carrying crude oil exploded and destroyed the center of a small Canadian town in a disaster that raises fresh questions about shipping oil by rail. REUTERS/Stringer
Smoke billows from a fire at the site of a train derailment in Lac Megantic, Quebec in this July 6, 2013 aerial handout photo. Several people were reported missing after four tank cars of petroleum products exploded in the middle of the small town in a fiery blast that destroyed dozens of buildings. REUTERS/Surete du Quebec/Handout
- Smoke billows from a fire at the site of a train derailment in Lac Megantic, Quebec in this July 6, 2013 aerial handout photo. Several people were reported missing after four tank cars of petroleum products exploded in the middle of the small town in a fiery blast that destroyed dozens of buildings. REUTERS/Surete du Quebec/Handout
Smoke billows from a fire at the site of a train derailment in Lac Megantic, Quebec in this July 6, 2013 aerial handout photo. Several people were reported missing after four tank cars of petroleum products exploded in the middle of the small town in a fiery blast that destroyed dozens of buildings. REUTERS/Surete du Quebec/Handout
Smoke billows from a fire at the site of a train derailment in Lac Megantic, Quebec in this July 6, 2013 aerial handout photo. Several people were reported missing after four tank cars of petroleum products exploded in the middle of the small town in a fiery blast that destroyed dozens of buildings. REUTERS/Surete du Quebec/Handout
Smoke billows from a fire at the site of a train derailment in Lac Megantic, Quebec in this July 6, 2013 aerial handout photo. Several people were reported missing after four tank cars of petroleum products exploded in the middle of the small town in a fiery blast that destroyed dozens of buildings. REUTERS/Surete du Quebec/Handout
A firefighter walks past the remains of buildings after a train explosion at Lac Megantic, Quebec, July 6, 2013. REUTERS/Mathieu Belanger
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