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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

40 missing in deadly Canada rail crash

The downtown core lies in ruins as firefighters continue to water smoldering rubble Sunday in Lac-Megantic, Quebec. (Associated Press)
The downtown core lies in ruins as firefighters continue to water smoldering rubble Sunday in Lac-Megantic, Quebec. (Associated Press)

The downtown core lies in ruins as firefighters continue to water smoldering rubble Sunday in Lac-Megantic, Quebec.

LAC-MEGANTIC, Quebec – About 40 people were still missing a day after a runaway train derailed in Quebec, igniting explosions and fires that destroyed a busy downtown district and killed five people. Police said a higher death toll was inevitable, and authorities feared the number might soar once they’re able to reach the hardest-hit areas. Worries remained over the status of two oil-filled train cars.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper compared the area to a war zone and said about 30 buildings were incinerated. Quebec provincial police Sgt. Benont Richard said only a small part of the devastated area had been searched Sunday, more than a day since the accident, because firefighters were making sure all fires were out. More here.

Have you ever traveled by train?



Huckleberries Online

D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.