Article content continued

Normally, the train would be secured by hand and air brakes.

About 40 people are considered missing after the spectacular blaze and explosions that razed much of Lac-Megantic, increasing the likelihood that the number of fatalities could soar from the current official death toll of five.

“I can tell you that we have met a lot of people….and what I can tell you is that about 40 people are considered missing,” Quebec provincial police Lt. Michel Brunet told a news conference.

“We have to be careful with that number because it could go up or down.”

The first body was discovered Saturday and Brunet said two more bodies were found overnight and another two on Sunday morning.

Police say a higher death toll is inevitable.

In a statement Sunday afternoon, Montreal, Maine & Atlantic suggested the failure of the air brakes might have been a factor.

“One fact that has emerged is the locomotive of the oil train parked at Nantes station was shut down subsequent to the departure of the engineer who had handled the train from Farnham, which may have resulted in the release of air brakes on the locomotive that was holding the train in place.”

Mr. Belkaloul confirmed that air brakes require power from the locomotive to function.

It was not clear what could have led to the locomotive being shut down. Authorities have said Nantes firefighters responded to a fire on the same train at around 11:30 Friday night. The company said the train had been “tied down” in Nantes at 11:25 and the engineer had retired to a nearby hotel.