Train derails northeast of Montreal, police say no injuries

Train derails northeast of Montreal, police say no injuries

About 20 railcars went off the tracks, CN says

Police in Repentigny, Que., northeast of Montreal say a train derailed in the city's Le Gardeur sector on Sunday afternoon.

Police spokesperson Sgt. Bruno Marier said calls reporting the incident in the city of about 90,000 people were logged at about 4:30 p.m.

"There are no fatalities and no injuries," Marier said, adding there was no leakage from any of the rail cars either.

In a post on Facebook, Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour said there is "no information suggesting that the train was carrying hazardous materials."

But as a precaution, power was cut in the affected area, with more than 2,600 clients affected in the Lanaudière region, according to Hydro-Québec.

The derailment did cause damage, as some fences were ripped out by the train, Marier said.

St. Paul St. is closed until further notice, with nearby detours allowing people to cross the tracks, he said.

Derailment under investigation, CN says

In a statement to CBC News, CN Rail spokesperson Ashley Michnowski said preliminary information indicates that about 20 railcars derailed and are in various positions.

She reiterated that no leaks, fires or injuries were reported, but she didn't specify what materials were being carried by the train.

Freight train derails in residential neighbourhood in Repentigny, Que.

CN crews have been deployed to the site, she said, and an investigation is underway.

Michnowski didn't say how long it would take to clear the tracks or whether there was any damage to the rails.

"Further information will be provided as soon as it becomes available," she said.

Annabelle Olivier is a digital journalist at CBC Montreal. She previously worked at Global News as an online producer. You can reach her at anne.isabelle.olivier@cbc.ca.