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PORTLAND, Maine — A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved a $446 million Cdn settlement fund for victims of the fiery Lac-Megantic oil-train derailment in Quebec that killed 47 people.

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Judge Peter Cary in Portland, Maine, announced his decision Friday after Canadian Pacific dropped its objection to the settlement moving forward and a Canadian judge gave conditional approval.

The settlement was the result of negotiations with about two dozen companies.

Barring any surprises, payments could be made to victims of the disaster by year’s end, said Robert Keach, the bankruptcy trustee. About $83 million is being set aside to settle wrongful death claims.

“We’re very happy for the victims that we were able to get to this point. They’re the primary focus here,” Keach said.

A runaway train with 72 oil tankers derailed on July 6, 2013, in Lac-Megantic, Que., setting off powerful explosions and causing fires that wiped out much of the downtown.