Fuel train derails and explodes in Lac-Megantic, Canada
Residents describe horrific rail crash in Quebec town, while death toll of five is expected to rise
Some residents warily eyed the driverless "ghost train" as it rushed through the Quebec countryside. The train carrying crude oil derailed, crashed into this small town, engulfing the downtown area in flames.
Yvon Rosa said he and a friend had just left the bar when they saw the train hurtling toward them. As the town centre exploded, they ran to the lake, jumped in a boat and went out onto the water until morning.
"It was incredible. The smoke, the heat - fire everywhere," said Yvon Rosa, who had just left a bar with his friend when they saw the train career towards them. "There were people running... It was like the apocalypse," he said.
Rescuers cautiously entered the charred debris yesterday, more than 24 hours after the crash that saw flames shoot into the sky and burn into the night.
Officially, as of last night, only five people had been confirmed dead but about 40 people were still missing.
"There could be more, there could be less," police spokesman Michel Brunet said.