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Sixty dead or missing after Lac-Megantic train blast Sixty dead or missing after Lac-Megantic train blast
(35 minutes later)
Sixty people are now thought to be dead or missing after a freight train carrying crude oil derailed and blew up in Quebec, Canadian police say.Sixty people are now thought to be dead or missing after a freight train carrying crude oil derailed and blew up in Quebec, Canadian police say.
Earlier reports said 35 people were unaccounted for after Saturday's Lac-Megantic blast - 15 are confirmed dead. Fifty people were previously known to be dead or missing after the weekend's blast in Lac-Megantic. There are 15 unidentified bodies.
Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into what happened, but they have ruled out terrorism.Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into what happened, but they have ruled out terrorism.
The chief executive of the train's US owner is later due to visit the town, where he could face hostility. The chief executive of the train's US owner is later due to visit the town.
Rail World's Edward Burkhardt has told media he has received hate messages.Rail World's Edward Burkhardt has told media he has received hate messages.
'Enormous task''Enormous task'
At least 30 buildings were destroyed by the fireball that resulted from Saturday morning's explosion. At least 30 buildings were razed by the fireball from the explosion that rocked the town on Saturday morning.
But the entire town centre is being treated as a crime scene, with several additional streets cordoned off by police tape.But the entire town centre is being treated as a crime scene, with several additional streets cordoned off by police tape.
Quebec Police Inspector Michel Forget said that while investigators had ruled out terrorism as a motive for the attack several other options, including criminal negligence, remained under consideration. Quebec Police Inspector Michel Forget said that while investigators had ruled out terrorism as a motive for the attack, several other options - including criminal negligence - remained under consideration.
He warned it could take time before the investigation findings emerge.
"This is an enormous task ahead of us," the police inspector said. "We're not at the stage of arrests.""This is an enormous task ahead of us," the police inspector said. "We're not at the stage of arrests."
Some 200 officers were still conducting search operations on Wednesday morning. Some 200 officers were still conducting searches on Wednesday morning.
But police said the effort was taking a toll on some crew members and two people had to be taken off the search over worries for their physical condition. But police said the effort was taking a toll on some crew members and two people had to be taken off the operation over worries for their physical condition.
'Very risky' "This is a very risky environment," said Quebec Provincial Police Sgt Benoit Richard.
"This is a very risky environment," said Quebec Provincial Police Sgt Benoit Richard. "We have to secure the safety of those working there. We have some hotspots on the scene. There is some gas." "We have to secure the safety of those working there. We have some hotspots on the scene. There is some gas."
The 15 confirmed fatalities have not yet been identified. Bodies incinerated?
Authorities have asked the relatives of those still missing to provide DNA samples by bringing in toothbrushes, razors and other items.Authorities have asked the relatives of those still missing to provide DNA samples by bringing in toothbrushes, razors and other items.
But the authorities have also warned some of the bodies may have been burnt to ashes in the explosion.But the authorities have also warned some of the bodies may have been burnt to ashes in the explosion.
The train, carrying 72 cars of crude oil, was parked shortly before midnight on Friday in the town of Nantes about seven miles (11km) away.The train, carrying 72 cars of crude oil, was parked shortly before midnight on Friday in the town of Nantes about seven miles (11km) away.
Local firefighters were later called to put out a fire on the train. While tackling that blaze, they shut down a locomotive that an engineer had left running to keep the brakes engaged. Local firefighters were later called to put out a fire on the train.
While tackling that blaze, they shut down a locomotive that an engineer had left running to keep the brakes engaged.
Shortly afterwards the train began moving downhill in an 18-minute journey, gathering speed until it derailed in Lac-Megantic and exploded.Shortly afterwards the train began moving downhill in an 18-minute journey, gathering speed until it derailed in Lac-Megantic and exploded.
The fire department and the train's owners have appeared to point the finger at one another over the disaster.The fire department and the train's owners have appeared to point the finger at one another over the disaster.
The train was carrying oil from the Bakken oil region in the US state of North Dakota to a refinery on the east coast of Canada.The train was carrying oil from the Bakken oil region in the US state of North Dakota to a refinery on the east coast of Canada.
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