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Published: June 3, 2023
Quebec Provincial Police confirmed the death of four children today, Saturday, after their bodies were found on one of the beaches of the Saint Lawrence River in Portneuf-sur-Mer on the northern coast of Quebec.
The children, all over ten years old, were among a group of 11 people fishing on the riverbank without a boat when they were swept away by the rising tide.
Six were rescued, but five, including the four children, were reported missing at around 2 a.m.
Rescue teams are searching for the fifth person – a man in his thirties, according to police spokesperson Sergeant Catherine Bernard.
They were taken to the local health center where the doctor confirmed their death.
Meanwhile, Quebec Provincial Police are searching for the missing man using all-terrain vehicles and a helicopter.
Divers and members of the Canadian Armed Forces are expected to assist in the search.
Bernard said in a phone interview: "When the tide is low, you can fish a little farther from the shore. However, at some point, the tide came back up, and they were caught off guard when the tide began to rise."
François Bonnardel, Quebec's Minister of Public Security, described the situation in an interview with local media as an "indescribable disaster" and a tragedy.
In a written statement, Bloc Québécois MP for Manicouagan Marilene Gill said her thoughts and feelings are with the people in the area.
Her office said she will meet with Mayor Jean-Maurice Tremblay as soon as possible today, Saturday.
Explaining that she: "As a mother, her heart is with the grieving families, and her entire team is here for them."
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