Train Derails in Repentigny North of Montreal, With 20 Railcars Off the Tracks
A train derailed Sunday afternoon in the Le Gardeur district of Repentigny, located north of Montreal. Local authorities said there were no reported injuries, deaths, fires or leaks connected to the incident.
The derailment led to temporary evacuations, road closures and a precautionary power outage while crews and emergency responders assessed the scene.
Derailment Happened Near Le Bourg-Neuf Boulevard
The derailment occurred at around 4:30 p.m. near the intersection of Le Bourg-Neuf Boulevard and Émile-Genest Street.
According to a statement provided to CTV News, CN Rail confirmed that its crews were at the scene along with local emergency services.
The company said preliminary information indicated that about 20 railcars had derailed and were left scattered in several positions.
No Injuries, Fires or Leaks Reported
Authorities said there were no reports of injuries or fatalities.
Officials also confirmed that there were no fires or leaks detected after the derailment.
Although the scene was described as significant, emergency crews did not report damage to nearby homes.
Around 200 Homes Temporarily Evacuated
Jean-Marc Picotte, deputy director of fire operations for the City of Repentigny, told Noovo Info that around 200 homes near the railway tracks were evacuated after the derailment.
The evacuation was carried out as a precaution while officials inspected the area and made sure there was no immediate danger to residents.
By 9:30 p.m., residents were allowed to return home, according to Repentigny Mayor Nicholas Dufour.
Homes Near Tracks Not Damaged
Repentigny police spokesperson Bruno Marier told CTV News that some homes in the area have backyards directly bordering the railway tracks.
However, he said no damage to those properties had been reported.
Marier described the scene as striking and said the incident would likely require an investigation by a federal agency to determine what happened.
Federal Investigation Expected
Because the incident involves a railway line, police said a federal agency is expected to investigate the cause of the derailment.
Marier noted that the rail line is used regularly as it passes through the city.
He added that no similar incident had been recorded there before.
Road Closures Put in Place
The City of Repentigny asked the public to avoid the area in a Facebook post.
Le Bourg-Neuf Boulevard was closed between Émile-Genest Street and Rosalie-Cadron Street.
Rue de la Paix, which runs beside the railway tracks, was also closed following the derailment.
Preventative Power Outage Ordered
The city also put a precautionary power outage in place after the derailment.
Shortly after 9 p.m., Mayor Nicholas Dufour told Noovo Info that the city had asked Hydro-Québec to restore power.
The outage was part of the safety measures taken while emergency crews managed the scene.
The train derailment in Repentigny’s Le Gardeur district caused major disruption Sunday afternoon, with about 20 railcars derailing near Le Bourg-Neuf Boulevard and Émile-Genest Street. Around 200 nearby homes were temporarily evacuated, but residents were later allowed to return home.
Authorities reported no injuries, deaths, fires, leaks or damage to nearby properties. Road closures and a precautionary power outage were put in place as emergency crews responded. A federal investigation is expected to determine what caused the derailment on the regularly used railway line.
