Fatalities feared in Canada train derailment in Lac-Megantic

The derailment and explosion of a train carrying petrochemicals through a Canadian town has been described as a "major catastrophe" by a local official.

Sgt Gregory Gomez Del Prado, of Quebec Provincial Police, said firefighters from a number of towns in the area were trying to tackle the blaze.

Around 1000 people have been evacuated from Lac-Megantic.

Sgt Del Prado said he feared there would be fatalities.