Canada migrant death toll at eight, after two more bodies found

AKWESASNE, QUEBEC (AP) - The bodies of two more migrants who died trying to cross from Canada into the United States (US), were found on Friday, bringing the death toll to eight, including two children, police in the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne said. The bodies of six people, described as members of two families of Romanian and Indian descent, were found on Thursday in a marshy area of the St Lawrence River, which forms the Canada-US border. Akwesasne Mohawk Police Chief Shawn Dulude said authorities were still looking for a man, identified as Casey Oakes, 30, who was last seen on Wednesday operating a boat that was found next to the bodies.

A police helicopter spotted the latest two bodies in the water. "A total of eight bodies have now been recovered from the waters. All are believed to have been attempting illegal entry into the US from Canada," Dulude said.

A child discovered on Friday was a Canadian citizen and a member of the Romanian family, Dulude said.

Searchers look for victims in Akwesasne, Quebec. PHOTO: AP

The body of an adult woman believed to be an Indian national was also recovered. Dulude said he didn't know if Oakes was alive or not, adding that he was a person of interest.

The territory is known for being a transit point for the trafficking of humans and contraband because of its location. And in February, police in Akwesasne reported an increase in human smuggling into the Mohawk territory. "Our community has been exploited by this," said Grand Chief Abram Benedict of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.

"This is not the first time that tragedy has happened in our community like this. We've had other losses." Weather conditions in the area were rough on Wednesday night, said deputy chief of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service Lee-Ann O'Brien.

O'Brien said six of the bodies were located during a search for Oakes who was reported missing on Thursday.

Oakes of Akwesasne was last seen on Wednesday around 9.30pm boarding a small boat departing from the east end of Cornwall Island, located in the St Lawrence River and on the Ontario side of the Mohawk territory.