A disasters expert who helped with forensic work after the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks on New York is to assist in finding victims of the Canadian oil train blast which killed up to 50 people last week.
Frank DePaolo, who works for the New York chief medical examiner’s office, has visited the ruins of Leg-Megantic, where a runaway train filled with crude oil derailed and exploded, flattening the town centre.
“He said the efforts were complex and difficult and he was overwhelmed (by) the enormity of the situation,” Quebec police spokesman Michel Forget told reporters.
Investigators are still trying sifting through the remains of the site, which is likely to remain a crime scene for months.
So far 37 bodies have been recovered from the disaster scene, although police still believe the final death toll will be significantly higher.
The rail company at the centre of the disaster has laid off up to 19 people along the route of the line in Maine and Quebec while the train track remains closed.
“This is because of the track being broken at Lac-Megantic,” a spokeswoman for the rail company said.
“The intent is to rehire the employees when the line is open again.”