Repentigny train derailment investigated in Quebec

Investigators are examining the Repentigny train derailment after approximately 45 railcars in a CN Rail train left the track northeast of Montreal, prompting precautionary evacuations and local power outages.

The derailment happened on Sunday in the Le Gardeur sector of Repentigny, near Le Bourg-Neuf Boulevard and Émile-Genest Street⁠. Local police said the first emergency calls came in at about 4:30 p.m.

CN Rail, the Canadian rail operator involved, said roughly 45 railcars derailed and came to rest in different positions along the railway line. Authorities reported no injuries and no deaths.

No injuries reported after Repentigny train derailment

CN Rail and local officials said the derailment did not involve fires, spills or hazardous materials on board.

Three of the affected cars had previously transported diesel fuel⁠, but they were empty when the incident occurred. CN Rail said inspections confirmed that no hazardous materials were on board.

Residents living near the site were evacuated as a precaution. Later on Sunday evening, the municipality said the area had been declared safe and that residents could return.

Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour said:

“From the very first minutes of the response, our priority was to ensure the safety of residents. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of our emergency teams and partners, the situation was quickly brought under control,”

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Power outages affected the Lanaudière region

The derailment also disrupted electricity service nearby.

Hydro-Québec said more than 2,600 customers in the Lanaudière region initially lost power. By Sunday evening, over 1,000 customers were still affected, while service had been almost fully restored by Monday morning.

The Jacques-Dupuis Aquatic Center stayed open until midnight for residents who needed a cool place to stay or somewhere to charge electronic devices.

CN Rail and TSB Canada investigate the derailment

CN Rail said it had deployed crews to the site and opened an investigation into the cause of the derailment.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada⁠, the country’s independent transportation accident investigation agency, also sent a team to the scene for a separate investigation.

The cause has not yet been established. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances in which the 45 railcars derailed and determine whether the rail infrastructure sustained damage.

What is known about traffic?

Local restrictions remained tied to site-clearing work. The City of Repentigny said closures would stay in place until operations were complete, including Le Bourg-Neuf Boulevard between Émile-Genest and Rosalie-Cadron streets, Rue de la Paix near the railway tracks and a section of the nearby bike path between Rue de la Paix and Athanas-Cusson Street. CN was also expected to continue wreck-clearing and cleanup work over the coming days. Authorities asked people to avoid the area so crews could work safely.

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