November 15, 2017 - 5:45 pm

London

Presenter: Senator Professor Rosa Galvez, Ph.D., P.Eng.; Laval University

Title: CSCE National Lecture Tour – Lac-Mégantic Cleanup

Abstract: The Lac-Mégantic train derailment and fire on July 6, 2013 was a human catastrophe and an environmental disaster. A runaway train containing 74 rail cars of light crude oil derailed and caught fire. The explosions and fire killed 47 residents and destroyed over 30 buildings. This was the deadliest rail accident in Canada since 1864. Approximately 6.3 million litres of oil was released into the environment, creating air, water and soil contamination. This presentation will describe what happened and outline the efforts made to remediate the impacts to this community and the environment.