Criminal probe in Quebec oil train derailment

[Bosonic]

Source: AP

LAC-MEGANTIC, Quebec (AP) — Canadian authorities said Tuesday they have opened a criminal investigation into the fiery wreck of a runaway oil train as the death toll climbed to 15, with dozens more bodies feared buried in the blackened, burned-out ruins of this small town.

Quebec police Inspector Michel Forget said that investigators have "discovered elements" that have led to a criminal probe. He gave no details but ruled out terrorism.

Tangled debris and gas leaks hampered rescue workers' search for bodies three days after the crash early Saturday that incinerated much of Lac-Megantic's downtown and raised questions about the safety of transporting oil by rail instead of pipeline.

Investigators zeroed in on whether a blaze on the train a few hours before the disaster set off the deadly chain of events.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/focus-earlier-blaze-quebec-train-derailment

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[Cronus Protagonist]

1. I hope it wasn't some kid flattening a penny on the rails

That would be awful.

[Posteritatis]

3. Criminal negligence is far more likely, considering the train was a runaway. (nt)

[PuffedMica]

2. Earth Liberation Front?

n/t

[angstlessk]

4. IF sabotage, more likely proponents of the XL pipeline

[angstlessk]

5. They keep talking about the first fire..WHAT CAUSED THE FIRST FIRE?

That could be key to this entire investigation...it could be a ruse to disable the brakes...

[CHIMO]

6. Shocking new Lac-Mégantic explosion video emerges

Warning: video below contains harsh language

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2013/07/09/quebec-lac-megantic-eyewitness-video.html

[wordpix]

9. incredible footage

[CHIMO]

7. Ottawa okayed having only one engineer on ill-fated train

OTTAWA—The rail company whose 73-car train devastated a Quebec town when it derailed convinced the federal government last year that it could safely operate trains with only one engineer on board, officials disclosed Tuesday.

Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA) got the green light from Transport Canada for the reduced staffing in 2012.

“They had to meet with Transport Canada and demonstrate to us that they could do it safely,” said Luc Bourdon, director general of rail safety in Transport Canada.

Senior Transport Canada officials acknowledged that MMA is only one of two companies allowed to operate with only one employee on a train. The other company is Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway, officials said.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/07/09/ottawa_okayed_having_only_one_engineer_on_illfated_train.html

[wordpix]

10. let's hope the criminal investigation includes Transport Canada officials

Convince us that none of them were bought off and their decision was based on science.

[Tx4obama]

8. Kick n/t

[AngryAmish]

11. Train people a question about air brakes

I thought that when all the air goes out of them the brakes are secured. Am I wrong?