On December 23, early in the evening, a canoe capsized on the Maroni River near the Poli Goudou jump in the Grand Santi sector. One child remains missing. The research continues.
Emma Chevaillier • Published December 24, 2023 at 7:53 am, updated December 24, 2023 at 5:35 pm.
A dramatic accident occurred yesterday afternoon. A taxi canoe capsized on the Maroni near the Poli Goudou jump in the Grand Santi sector. The ski jump is on the Surinamese side, said the mayor of Grand Santi, Felix Dada. The emergency services were alerted early in the evening.
A child under 10 from the same family is still missing. Three bodies were found on the Surinamese side. There would be four sisters. Her identity is not yet clear. The Dragon 973 was mobilized yesterday for research purposes. Two firefighters and a police officer are currently on site.
The helicopter was unable to fly over the Maroni this Sunday due to weather conditions. The bodies were taken to the Grand Santi Pharmacy. The local gendarmerie opened an investigation. The search will continue until nightfall this evening and will resume tomorrow morning.
The canoe is not easy to maneuver, especially since there is no water at this time of year. It is also very difficult when canoeists today have neither the time nor the patience to drop people off at the jump height for the passage on foot.
Félix Dada, mayor of Grand Santi
The canoe that left Maripasoula carried about twenty passengers and headed towards Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. None of the passengers were wearing life jackets.
A taxi canoe capsized on the Maroni near the Poli Goudou jump point in the Grand Santi sector. • ©Social Networks
According to Deles Bandai, elected delegate for family life and children at Maripasoula City Hall, “the canoeist did not have permission to transport people.” According to our information, the hull of the boat is made of aluminum, which is known to be less resistant to shocks.
Last update at 5:25 p.m.