Train derailment and spill leads to confinement order on Montreal’s south shore

A freight train derailed on Montreal’s south shore Thursday, prompting a confinement order, road closures and a large emergency response due to a spill of hydrogen peroxide.

The derailment occurred around 9 a.m. in the LeMoyne area, near the intersection of St-Louis and St-Georges streets, in Longueuil.

Longueuil police said no injuries were reported, but a CN rail official told reporters that three employees had been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

Mathieu Gaudreault, a spokesman for CN rail, said about eight cars derailed at the Southwark rail facility. Four of them toppled over.

“As of now we don’t know why the train derailed,” he said, adding possible causes include a problem with the track, a problem with a manoeuvre, or a mechanical issue.

The City of Longueuil confirmed people within 800 metres around the site were asked to stay indoors as a “precautionary measure.” Residents in the affected area were told to turn off ventilation systems, move away from windows and remain sheltered until as long as authorities advised.

Police also urged students at nearby schools, to stay indoors while experts ensure the air is safe to breathe.

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“It is as a preventive measure that we encourage people to really avoid exposing themselves unnecessarily,” police spokesperson François Boucher said earlier in the day.

Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier told reporters just before 3 p.m. that the situation was “under control” but the confinement order and closures were still in effect.

As of 4:35 p.m., the confinement order was partially lifted by the city for residents near the northern part of Jacques-Cartier Boulevard.

Officials said the notice would be lifted once a team with expertise in dangerous material gave the green light.

Passenger trains delayed, roads closed

Pierre Marcoux, a daycare director, said authorities told him they would have to leave. They have always prepared for emergencies, he added, so it went smoothly even if they had to take about 70 kids to a different building until their parents could pick them up.

“We saw a lot of smoke, white smoke, over there,” Marcoux said.

Aside from asking people to avoid the area, Route 116 was also shut down in both directions. Via Rail also said many of its trains in the region were also delayed and cancelled as a result.

“VIA Rail is closely monitoring the situation and expects full service between Montreal and Québec City to resume tomorrow. Passengers are being kept informed through regular updates,” the company said in an email.

Police, the fire department and CN Rail workers remained at the scene.

Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel said he is keeping a close eye on the situation.

“We ask that you follow the instructions of the authorities and avoid the LeMoyne station area,” Bonnardel wrote on X. “We will closely monitor the situation with all the public security teams.”

— with files from Global’s Felicia Parrillo and The Canadian Press

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