RCMP near Grand Rapids, Man., are searching for two boaters who are missing in the vicinity of Little Moose Lake, while searchers have located the body of a third person who was with the group.
The three men — age 28, 29 and 31, from Misipawistik Cree Nation — had set off together by boat to the north basin of Lake Winnipeg to hunt moose.
An RCMP spokesperson told CBC News it’s not clear when the group had begun travelling, but they were in contact with family and friends and indicated they would be returning late Thursday.
They did not return as scheduled, and no one could get in contact with them, the spokesperson said. Grand Rapids RCMP received a report about the missing boaters on Friday morning.
Several search and rescue groups, the RCMP’s underwater recovery team and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre have been searching the area, according to an RCMP news release issued on Sunday.
Searchers found items belonging to the missing boaters along the shoreline of Lake Winnipeg, between EagleNest and Reef point. Members of Easterville Search and Rescue found the body of the 31-year-old man in the water on Saturday, say police.
RCMP say they’ll continue searching for the two other men with local fishermen and search and rescue groups from Easterville and The Pas. The search is currently focused on Lake Winnipeg.
“This is a tragedy for the family and community and we continue to search for the other two missing boaters,” RCMP Cpl. Julie Courchaine said in an email to CBC News.
“The RCMP would like to acknowledge all the people that have come together to assist with the search and continue to do so.”
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