At least 40 people are still missing after a train carrying crude oil derailed in Canada killing 13. The runaway train crashed and exploded in a town in eastern Quebec on Saturday night.

All but one of the 73 tanker cars were carrying oil when they came loose and sped downhill.

The blasts destroyed about 30 buildings including a popular bar.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper likened the scene to a "war zone", while witnesses described how flames engulfed the popular Musi-Café, which was only a few metres from the scene.

The nightspot was packed with about 60 people, including a group of 20 who were celebrating a birthday.

Quebec provincial police sergeant Benoit Richard said only a small part of the devastated scene had been searched as firefighters made sure all the flames were out.

The location of the explosion

A coroner spokeswoman said it might not be possible to recover some of the bodies because of the intensity of the blasts.

All but one of the train's tanker cars were carrying oil when they somehow came loose, sped downhill nearly seven miles into the town near the Maine border, derailed and began exploding one by one.