A Canadian National (CN) freight train derailed in a residential area of Repentigny, Quebec, on Sunday afternoon, prompting the temporary evacuation of about 200 residents.
No injuries or hazardous material leaks were reported.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p. m.
in the Le Gardeur sector, near Bourg-Neuf Boulevard and Émile-Genest Street. Forty-five of the train's 176 cars left the tracks close to a local bike path.
Emergency crews, including police and firefighters, quickly secured the perimeter. CN heavy machinery arrived Monday morning to begin a multi-day clearing and cleanup operation.
Residents described hearing a loud, terrifying noise. Éric Cadotte said his family initially thought it was an airplane crash.
Amari Mohamed noted that frequent train traffic usually causes strong vibrations in the area.
Tomy-Lee Dufault, who lives in a nearby basement apartment, felt an unusual urgency when the train passed.
He fled his home after seeing overturned cars, fearing an explosion like the Lac-Mégantic disaster.
Witness Ginette Giroux reported a large cloud of black smoke. She described the scene as a horror movie, with people running and screaming.
She saw detached wheels resting on a neighboring street.
Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour expressed relief that no one was hurt.
He noted that the railway predates the neighborhood, built in the 1970s and 1980s, and that trains are required to reduce speed in urban zones.
Dufour confirmed that CN had recently performed maintenance at the Bourg-Neuf Boulevard level crossing where the derailment took place.
He said the cause remains unknown and that the city will continue questioning CN and the federal government.
Provincial Environment Minister and Repentigny MNA Pascale Déry commended local responders for their swift actions.
Repentigny Police spokesperson Bruno Marier said no residential structural damage occurred despite the proximity of backyards to the tracks.
He added that a federal agency will likely investigate.
CN spokesperson Ashley Michnowski initially reported about 20 cars derailed, later updated to 45. No leaks, fire, or injuries were reported.
Investigators remain on site to determine the cause.
Repentigny Fire Department Deputy Chief Jean-Marc Picotte confirmed the first emergency call at 4:33 p. m.
He noted that six cars containing hazardous substances remained on the tracks, while three derailed tankers previously used for diesel were empty.
The derailment knocked down overhead power lines, causing localized preventive blackouts in two city sectors.
