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Jury selection begins Monday in Lac-Megantic train derailment trial

In this July 6, 2013, file photo, smoke rises from railway cars that were carrying crude oil after derailing in downtown Lac Megantic, Que. Jury selection begins in Sherbrooke today for three men charged in the rail disaster that killed 47 people. Monday, Sep. 11, 2017. Paul Chiasson / The Canadian Press

A judge is listening to exemption requests from prospective jurors at the trial of three men charged in the rail disaster that killed 47 people in Lac-Mégantic, Que.

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Superior Court Justice Gaetan Dumas has received requests from a long line of people who do not want to take part in the bilingual trial, which is expected to last until December.

READ MORE: Quebec agency releases Lac-Megantic report

Most cited school, work, loss of income and health concerns as reasons for not being able to sit as jurors.

A few people broke down in tears in front of the judge, saying they knew one or more of the victims who died on July 6, 2013, after a runaway train carrying crude oil derailed in the Quebec community and exploded.

WATCH BELOW: The disaster at Lac-Megantic

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Dumas accepted the majority of the requests for exemption.

READ MORE: Lac-Mégantic residents call on Trudeau to move forward on rail bypass

Three ex-railway employees – train driver Thomas Harding, railway traffic controller Richard Labrie and manager of train operations Jean Demaitre – each face one charge of criminal negligence causing the death of 47 people.

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