The Ministry of Foreign Affairs learned with dismay of the sinking of a canoe on the Maroni River near Grand-Santi, French Guiana, on Saturday, January 31, at approximately 6:15 a.m. The canoe was carrying six Haitian nationals, all teachers, returning from a weekend celebration.

Two of the passengers and the canoe captain were rescued and taken into the care of emergency services, while the others are missing.

According to the survivors' testimonies, they were aboard an aluminum-hulled canoe when the engine failed, causing the vessel to quickly take on water before sinking.

The Haitian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its support and solidarity with the victims, their families, and loved ones, while specifying that instructions have been given to the Haitian Consulate General in Cayenne to maintain constant contact with the Prefecture of French Guiana regarding the case until the end of the search operations.

The search continues for the two missing individuals, and river and air resources will be reinforced by a drone starting this Monday, according to the Prefecture of French Guiana. The Civil Security helicopter Dragon 973 is conducting flights over the area, while firefighters, the gendarmerie, and river resources are deployed. Approximately thirty rescuers, including divers, have been involved, notably aboard about ten canoes, according to the Prefect of French Guiana, Antoine Poussier.

Aline Clérot, the Public Prosecutor of Cayenne, announced Sunday evening that two teachers who survived, as well as the canoeist, have been questioned. According to statements from the survivors, as reported by the prosecutor, the group had spent the night in a bar in Suriname before returning to Grand-Santi by canoe. None of the passengers were wearing life jackets, which have been mandatory since January 1st, 2026. Furthermore, nighttime navigation on the river is prohibited.

The canoeist, a Surinamese national, was charged with "involuntary manslaughter and endangering the lives of others" due to the blatant disregard for safety regulations, including the requirement to wear life jackets and the nighttime navigation ban.

Latest news : On Sunday, the bodies of two of the four missing Haitian teachers were found. "They are currently being identified," stated Prefect Poussier. The wrecked canoe was also recovered.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre