By Canadian Press

Advocate calls for better rail safety on 12th anniversary of Lac-Mégantic disaster

Jul 6, 2025 | 10:23 AM

MONTREAL — Citizens of Lac-Mégantic, Que., are marking the 12th anniversary of a rail disaster that killed 47 people when a runaway train derailed and smashed into downtown.

The town is commemorating the 2013 tragedy by lowering flags to half-mast, holding a moment of silence and laying flowers at the site of the derailment.

Officials have also asked that the rail company not run trains through the area today out of respect for the victims.

The spokesman for a rail safety group believes not enough has been done to ensure the town’s some 6,000 residents are safe from future disasters.

Robert Bellefleur says trains have become longer and heavier, while a long-promised bypass to divert them from the city’s core has not been built.

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Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland has issued a statement marking the anniversary and says completing the bypass is one of her priorities.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2025.

The Canadian Press