Quebec authorities file charges in Lac-Megantic oil train explosion

Quebec authorities have brought criminal charges against Montreal Maine & Atlantic Railway and three of its employees over the explosion of an oil-laden train that killed 47 people in 2013.

The Sûreté du Québec arrested train operations manager Jean Demaitre, engineer Thomas Harding and the railway’s traffic controller Richard Labrie, who have been hit with 47 counts of criminal negligence each. A brief provincial court hearing granted bail for the trio. The next court appearance is scheduled for 11 September.

Prosecutors said in a statement: "After examining all the evidence, these three individuals and the company have been accused of criminal negligence causing the deaths of 47 people."

In July 2013, a 72-car train carrying around 45,000 barrels of crude from North Dakota to a refinery in eastern Canada derailed in the town centre of Lac-Megantic. five of the tanker cars exploded, destroying around 30 buildings, including a packed bar.

The number of derailments of oil-bearing trains has continued to mount since, causing redoubled efforts in Canada and the US to revamp rail safety standards.

The cost for environmental clean-up is expected to be between $200m and $500m. Only $25m in insurance is available for payouts for wrongful death, personal injury, property damage, fire suppression and environmental impact.