Train derails in Repentigny north of Montreal, 20 railcars derailed

(Eliane Auger/Facebook)

A train derailed Sunday afternoon in the district of Le Gardeur in Repentigny, north of Montreal.

The derailment occurred at the intersection of Le Bourg-Neuf Blvd. and Émile-Genest St. around 4:30 p.m.

There are no reports of injuries, fires, leaks or deaths, local authorities said.

In a statement to CTV News, CN Rail said crews and local emergency services are on the scene.

“According to preliminary information, about 20 railcars have derailed and are scattered in various positions,” the statement reads.

Investigation by federal agency, police say

Jean-Marc Picotte, deputy director of fire operations for the city of Repentigny, told Noovo Info that about 200 houses near the tracks were evacuated after the derailment.

As of 9:30 p.m., however, residents were permitted to return home, Repentigny Mayor Nicholas Dufour told Noovo Info.

Repentigny police spokesperson Bruno Marier told CTV News that while some homes have backyards that border directly on the railroad tracks, no damage to those properties has been reported.

“Still, it’s quite a sight,” he told CTV News.

“I imagine this will require an investigation by a federal agency to determine what happened. This is a railroad line that is used every week as it passes through the city. There has never been an incident of this kind recorded to date.”

Preventative power outage in place

The city of Repentigny advised the public to avoid the area in a Facebook post.

Le Bourg-Neuf Blvd. is closed between Émile-Genest St. and Rosalie-Cadron St.

Rue de la Paix, which runs alongside the railroad tracks, is also closed, according to the city.

A preventative power outage was put in place following the derailment, according to the city’s post. Repentigny Mayor Nicholas Dufour told Noovo Info shortly after 9 p.m. that the city had asked Hydro-Québec to restore power.