Three men have died after a six-metre fibreglass boat capsized off Savary Island in British Columbia, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The incident occurred Thursday night approximately 500 to 1,000 metres from shore in the Salish Sea, an area north-west of Vancouver. Two other men survived the accident and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Police confirmed that all five individuals on board were members of the Tla amin Nation.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre reported receiving an alert around 10 p.m. PT after the vessel failed to return to Lund amid strong winds. The group had been clam digging near the northern side of Savary Island when the boat capsized.
A large-scale rescue operation was launched, involving a Coast Guard lifeboat from Powell River, an inshore rescue craft from Cortes Bay, and a Royal Canadian Air Force Kingfisher helicopter dispatched from Comox.
Authorities said two survivors reached shore and contacted emergency services around 10:45 p.m., while three others remained with the overturned vessel. Responders later recovered the three men near the shoreline, where they were pronounced dead.
Chief John Hackett of the Tla’amin Nation described the incident as a deep tragedy for the community and extended condolences to the families of the victims. He also thanked emergency crews for their response and requested privacy for grieving families.
The nation has opened its cultural centre to support those affected.
The RCMP continues to assist the British Columbia Coroners Service in determining the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Savary Island is located in the Salish Sea, roughly 140 kilometres northwest of Vancouver.
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