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Tragic Tide: Four Children Drown and One Man Missing in Quebec Fishing Accident

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BNN Correspondents
New Update
Four children die after group swept away by tide in Canada's Quebec
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Image Credit: REUTERS
Fishing accident: A group of 11 people fishing for capelin on the shore of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec's Côte-Nord region were caught by a sudden tide that swept them away in the early hours of Saturday, June 3. Four children, all over the age of 10, were found unresponsive on the shore and later pronounced dead at a hospital. A man in his 30s is still missing and the search for him continues.
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The Incident

The incident occurred near Portneuf-sur-Mer, a municipality northeast of Quebec City, around 2 a.m. local time. According to the Surete du Quebec provincial police force, the group of 11 people were fishing on foot along the shore when they were surprised by the rising water level and strong currents. Six of them managed to escape and call for help, while five others were carried away by the tide.
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The rescue operation involved divers, helicopters, boats, and ground patrols. Around 6 a.m., four children were found unconscious on the shore and taken to a hospital in the region, where they were confirmed dead by a doctor. The children were two boys and two girls, aged between 10 and 14. Their names have not been released yet.
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The search for the missing man, who is believed to be a relative of some of the children, resumed on Sunday morning after being suspended overnight due to darkness and weather conditions. The police said they are still hopeful of finding him alive.

The Reaction

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The tragedy has shocked and saddened the local community and the province. Quebec Premier Francois Legault expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the victims on Twitter. "My heart is broken by this terrible news. I offer my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of these four children who lost their lives yesterday," he wrote.
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The mayor of Portneuf-sur-Mer, Jean-Pierre Tremblay, said he was devastated by the incident and offered his support to the affected families. He also thanked the emergency services for their efforts. "It's a very difficult situation for everyone. We are a small community of 600 people and we know each other well. It's a tragedy that touches us deeply," he told Radio-Canada.
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The capelin fishing season is a popular activity in the Côte-Nord region, where thousands of people flock to the shore to catch the small fish that spawn in large numbers in June. The fish are considered a delicacy and are often eaten fried or smoked. However, fishing on foot can be dangerous due to the unpredictable tides and currents of the St. Lawrence River.
The police said they are investigating the circumstances of the incident and whether any safety measures were taken by the group. They also urged people to be cautious and vigilant when fishing on foot and to check the tide tables before going out.
St. Lawrence River Quebec Fishing Accident Capelin Fishing Tide Tragedy Four Children Drown
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