Mystery Remains Over Freight Train Derailment in Northern Quebec
What Happened
On December 28, a freight train carrying iron ore left the tracks about 60 kilometers north of Sept‑Îles on Quebec’s north coast.
Details of the Incident
The train was moving northward when an automatic emergency brake triggered, causing 29 railcars and the locomotive to derail.
Impact on People and Environment
Fortunately, no one was injured, and most of the spilled iron ore stayed on land, avoiding the frozen surface of the nearby Nipissis River.
Investigation Findings
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it cannot pinpoint the exact cause of the accident.
Officials believe a rail broke under the stress of severe temperature swings and after another train with a wheel defect passed earlier on the same section.
Broader Context
The railway recorded 47 rail‑breakage incidents in 2025, with more than half occurring in January and December.
The track involved in the derailment was installed in 2022 and had been inspected just three days before the incident, with no defects reported.
