After a runaway freight train loaded with roughly 100,000 litres of crude oil rolled backwards at top speed into a small town in Quebec, the ensuing explosions devastated the downtown core, killing at least 15 people and leaving nearly 40 missing.
Global News has compiled a timeline of the key moments of the dramatic and tragic events at Lac-Megantic.
July 5 – 11:25 p.m. ET
The train, which is carrying roughly 100,000 litres of crude oil was parked 11 kilometres from Lac-Megantic, in the village of Nantes.
The train engineer, having finished his shift, left the train for the night. The train was left unattended on the tracks.
July 5– 11:30 p.m. ET
A resident in Nantes called 9-1-1, reporting a fire in the parked train. Firefighters doused the blaze.
July 6 – 12:00 a.m. ET
After the fire was extinguished, the train motors were shut off.
July 6 – 12:00 a.m. ET to 12:56 a.m. ET
As the train’s brakes have been shut off at the same time as the motors, the unmanned train starts rolling backwards down an incline.
July 6 – 12:56 a.m. ET
The train, going downhill, hit breakneck speed.
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July 6 – 1:15 a.m. ET
The first explosion was reported in Lac-Mégantic. The train has derailed.
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July 6 – 2:28 a.m. ET
Parts of Lac-Megantic’s downtown area were ablaze after the explosion.
Firefighters from neighbouring areas like St-Georges-de-Beauce were called to the scene. Three further explosions took place.
July 6 – 2:57 a.m. ET
A fifth explosion occurred. Virtually all of downtown is burning.
July 6 – 3:00 a.m. ET
Authorities said that one person may have died in the explosion.
July 6 – 3:46 a.m. ET
Firefighters from Sherbrooke were called to the scene.
July 6 – 4:11 a.m. ET
A sixth explosion rocked the small town. The Societe de protection des forets contre le feu (SOPFEU) was called to the scene.
July 6 – 6:05 a.m. ET
Amid fears that another wagon could explode, a one-kilometre perimeter was established.
July 6 – 8:09 a.m. ET
Quebec provincial police confirmed that close to 1,000 people have been evacuated.
July 6 – 8:40 a.m. ET
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSBC) sent an investigative team to Lac-Megantic.
July 6 – 9 a.m. ET
The Red Cross assisted evacuees at Polyvalente Montignac de Lac Mégantic, a local high school. Meanwhile, firefighters worked throughout the day to bring the blaze under control.
July 6 – 3:58 p.m. ET
The first death was confirmed by Quebec provincial police.
July 6
Premier Pauline Marois visited Lac-Megantic survivors and met with the media.
July 7
Quebec provincial police announced that there were now five dead and approximately 40 missing.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper visits Lac-Megantic survivors and says the town resembles a “war zone.”
July 8
Quebec provincial police announced that there were now 13 dead and approximately 40 missing.
July 9
Most Lac-Megantic residents – excluding those who lives near the town’s centre – were allowed back into their homes.
July 10
The president of the train company, Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA) arrived in Montreal.
July 11
Quebec authorities confirmed that there were now 50 people missing, including the 15 confirmed dead.
The Quebec government has announced a $60-million fund to help victims in Lac-Megantic, Que.
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