The Canadian police announced the discovery of the bodies of 6 people from two families, one Canadian-Romanian and the other Indian, in a swamp near the border with the United States, which they tried to enter illegally.

Li Ann O'Brien, deputy commander of the local police, said that the bodies were found yesterday, Thursday, near an overturned boat owned by a man who is still missing from the Akwesasne Indigenous community.

She added: “It appears that the six people belong to two families, one Canadian of Romanian origin and the other holding Indian nationality,” adding that a child among the deceased is under 3 years old. "We believe they were trying to enter the United States illegally from Canada,” confirming that they legally arrived in Canada.

O'Brien also explained that a second child from the Romanian family has not been found, while his Canadian passport was found, and the police continue their search.

A helicopter and diving teams from various police departments were also sent to the scene to assist in the search.

The authorities pointed out that the weather conditions were very bad, with rain, frost, and strong winds, when the “very small” boat attempted to cross the border.

The local police said they recently noticed “an increase in the number of people crossing Akwesasne to enter the United States,” with 48 crossings recorded since the beginning of the year.

Two people have previously died this year while trying to enter the United States illegally from Canada.