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The downtown core lays in ruins as firefighters continue to water the smoldering rubble, Sunday, July 7, 2013 in Lac-Mégantic, Que. after a train derailed igniting tanker cars carrying crude oil. Transport Canada has approved rules intended to reduce the risk of runaway trains in response to recommendations by the Transportation Safety Board following the deadly derailment in Lac-Megantic, Que.Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press

Transport Canada has approved rules intended to reduce the risk of runaway trains in response to recommendations by the Transportation Safety Board following the deadly derailment in Lac-Megantic, Que.

The department says the rules set a standard on the number of applied handbrakes required and additional securement measures to secure trains.

Such measures were imposed in an emergency directive after the disaster in Lac-Megantic, but Transport Canada say they are now permanent and more detailed.

The rules include a handbrake application chart for various operating situations, which once applied must be confirmed by another employee with an appropriate level of knowledge.

Forty-seven people were killed on July 6, 2013, when an unattended train loaded with oil exploded after careening into the centre of Lac-Megantic.

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