Insurer XL at the scene of deadly Quebec train derailment, explosion
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XL Group P.L.C. is an insurer for Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Corp., whose train carrying crude oil derailed in a Quebec town and exploded, causing at least 15 deaths with some 40 people still missing.
In a statement Wednesday, the Dublin-based insurer said, “XL does not publicly discuss details regarding our clients, but can confirm that we are an insurer of the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway. As such, we are on the scene working closely with the company and authorities, and our thoughts and prayers are with the community of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.”
The train reportedly was parked for an overnight shift change four miles from the town when 73 black tankers carrying pressurized containers of crude oil decoupled from their five locomotives, rolled downhill into the town center, derailed and set off a series of explosions and fires that raged for hours early Saturday.
In addition to the dead and missing, more than 30 buildings in the town were destroyed. A criminal investigation was underway as the search for the missing continued.
The railway company suggested that local firemen, who according to news reports shut the train down after putting out a locomotive fire that broke out before the derailment, may have caused the accident.
Hermon, Maine-based Montreal, Maine & Atlantic said in a Sunday statement that the locomotive’s shutdown after the departure of the engineer may have resulted in the release of air brakes on the locomotive that was holding it in place, although a governmental investigation largely prevented the company from completing its own investigation.
The company said in its statement that it will cooperate with government authorities as they continue their investigation.
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A train hauling 72 oil-filled tanker cars derailed in Quebec, Canada, causing at least five to explode, which destroyed the town of Lac-Megantic, The Associated Press reported.
