Oil mislabeled in Quebec disaster as less volatile

The oil aboard a Canadian train that derailed in Quebec in July was mislabeled as a less volatile crude, explaining why the explosion that killed 47 people was more violent than expected.

While the correct labeling would not have changed the containers on the train or how the firefighters responded to the Lac-Mégantic explosion, new safety recommendations are expected based on the investigators' findings.

Donald Ross of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said the warning signs on the tank cars indicated the crude had a relatively low flashpoint, like diesel, but testing after the accident found the oil was more explosive, like gasoline.