Five days after a runaway train carrying crude oil exploded in Lac-Megantic, the families of those lost in the disaster are mourning their loved ones, even if their bodies have not yet been recovered.
Only one victim has been publicly identified so far: 93-year-old Elianne Parenteau, who lived alone near the train tracks.
Police said Thursday they鈥檝e now found 24 bodies and are searching for more. Twenty-six others are still missing and presumed dead.
Raymond Lafontaine鈥檚 son and two daughters-in-law haven鈥檛 been seen since massive explosions tore through Lac-Megantic鈥檚 downtown core around 1 a.m. Saturday.
As the fire raged, Geatan Lafontaine ran back inside a bar to get his wife, Joannie Turmel. The pair and Geatan鈥檚 sister-in-law, Karine Lafontaine, are still missing.
鈥淐ry, cry cry鈥f everyone cries, where does that get us?鈥� Raymond Lafontaine said.
Many of the missing are young people in their 20s and 30s.
Genevieve Breton, a 28-year-old singer who entered the popular Musi-Café bar just before the train derailment, is among them. She had recently returned home from Sherbrooke, Que., for the summer.
Joslyn Fortin and his wife Helene lost six life-long friends in the disaster. But they know that many others lost their mothers, fathers and siblings.
To cope with their grief, the Fortins have been spending their days helping out at the emergency shelter in town.
鈥淲e know where the disaster started,鈥� Joslyn Fortin said. 鈥淏ut we don鈥檛 know how it will end. We control that.鈥�
Many residents are now gathering at a local church designated as a memorial site for the victims. A candlelight vigil is being planned on Friday night.
鈥淭ogether, we will rebuild this town,鈥� Raymond Lafontaine said. 鈥淎nd one day this will be history. But we will never forget the children we have lost.鈥�
Red Cross
The Red Cross is taking donations to help the residents of Lac-Megantic. Those interested can visit the Canadian Red Cross website, call 1-800-418-1111, or send cash or a cheque to:
To make a donation by cheque or cash, please send your donation made payable to The Canadian Red Cross by mailing your donation to:
Canadian Red Cross
6 place du Commerce
Verdun (Quebec) H3E 1P4
If mailing a donation, it should be marked for the Lac-Mégantic Support fund.
With a report from CTV鈥檚 Peter Akman
