A mudslide triggered by heavy rain derailed a freight train near Prince Rupert earlier this week, disrupting service along the key northern corridor to the city’s port—and later revealing a significant diesel spill.
On March 16, 27 CN Rail cars derailed approximately 20 kilometres south of Prince Rupert, near Mile 80 on Highway 16.
Initial reports indicated that no spills had occurred, but subsequent assessments confirmed that at least one car was leaking, according to the Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV), with an estimated 1,000 litres of diesel being released, which has since migrated through drainage pathways toward nearby marine waters.
CN Rail stated that there has been no “bulk release” of fuel.
“A light sheen was observed on the water in the immediate vicinity of the derailment site, and monitoring and recovery is ongoing,” CN Rail stated.
“Containment and recovery measures were implemented and remain in place, including the use of absorbents, floating booms, skimmers, and earthen berms.”
While CN Rail added that it continues to work with Indigenous communities, regulatory agencies, and local governments throughout the recovery and site restoration process, some Indigenous leaders are pushing for enhanced safety measures to be implemented.
The Gitxsan Huwilp Government initially called for an immediate stop to all train hauling in the vicinity of their traditional territory due to the cars near the water, and are now calling for an investigation into the health of the 114-year-old rail line.
Hereditary chief Norman Moore said he has reached out to B.C. government ministries, and is trying to bring Alberta into the conversation.
“We are reaching out to Alberta government counterparts about the safety of the railway system,” he said.
“The next derailment could be catastrophic, and we don’t just need environmentalists—at this juncture, we need engineers.”
An Environmental Emergency Response Officer arrived at the site on March 19 to assess impacts and response actions.
Containment measures are underway, and marine response crews from the West Coast Marine Response Corporation continue to monitor the containment boom and deploy skimmers, according to ENV.
“Limited sheening continues to be observed in the nearby marine passage—containment and recovery measures remain in place,” ENV stated.
“Provincial environmental staff will continue on‑site monitoring for regulatory compliance, [and] additional response planning information has been requested to support ongoing recovery efforts.
Site access is currently by boat only, and track reconstruction will be required to allow heavy equipment for locomotive removal and site cleanup.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, Gitxaala Environmental Services, and Environment and Climate Change Canada are also involved.
More to come