Police confirm 5 dead, 40 missing in Canada rail disaster

Burnt buildings are seen following a train derailment causing explosions of railway cars carrying crude oil Sunday, July 7, 2013, in Lac Megantic, Quebec. AP PHOTO/THE CANADIAN PRESS, PAUL CHIASSON

LAC MEGANTIC, Canada—Five people were confirmed dead Sunday and at least 40 missing some 36 hours after the catastrophic derailment of an oil-laden cargo train in the Quebec town of Lac Megantic, police said.

Police spokesman Michel Brunet told reporters two more bodies had been discovered a day after the train jumped its track and set a large part of the town’s center ablaze. Two corpses were found earlier Sunday and one on Saturday, officials said.