Montreal/CMEDIA: The death of four children and one man was reportedly confirmed by Quebec provincial police on Saturday during a fishing excursion without a boat on the the St. Lawrence River shoreline in Portneuf-sur-Mer, on the province’s North Shore.
The children, all above the age of 10, were among a group of 11 people fishing with six of them being rescued, but the five victims were reported missing around 2 a.m. ET
The children were not breathing according to police spokesperson Sgt. Catherine Bernard when they were recovered on the shore and were transferred to the local health centre where a physician confirmed their deaths.
Following Quebec provincial police and Canadian Forces members’ efforts throughout the afternoon in the search for the missing man, adult divers found the body of the missing man, who was in his 30s, who was pronounced dead at a hospital
Police said those in the group were fishing for capelin, a popular activity in part of Quebec’s North Shore.
In an interview with Radio-Canada about wildfires Saturday morning, Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel reportedly called the situation an “unnamable catastrophe” and a tragedy.
In a written statement, Bloc Québécois MP for Manicouagan Marilène Gill said her thoughts are with the people in the region.
“As a mother, my heart is with you and my entire team is here for you,” read the statement.
#QuebecsNorthShore; #Tragedy; #Fishing
