Eight Haitian Migrants Found in Critical Condition at Hemmingford
On Friday evening, eight Haitian migrants were discovered in critical condition near Hemmingford, Quebec, after crossing the Canadian border irregularly. Their perilous journey prompted a significant search and rescue operation under harsh weather conditions.
Details of the Incident
The group comprised five men and three women. The United States Border Patrol detected them at approximately 9:30 PM, as reported by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Recent Context
This incident follows the previous week’s arrest of 19 Haitian migrants in Havelock, Quebec. Those individuals were also attempting to traverse the U.S.-Canada border on foot amidst severe cold temperatures.
Search and Rescue Efforts
- The Canadian border patrol initiated a search due to the migrants’ critical condition.
- Despite extensive efforts, initial searches failed to locate the group.
- At around 3:30 AM on Saturday, authorities intercepted a man claiming he was going to retrieve the migrants.
- Shortly thereafter, seven of the eight were located.
Many of the migrants displayed signs of frostbite and hypothermia. As the situation intensified, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and drone operators from the RCMP in Valleyfield were called upon to assist in locating the eighth member of the group.
By 7:30 AM, the last migrant was successfully found after overcoming challenges posed by the freezing weather. All eight were subsequently transported to a hospital for medical treatment.
Next Steps for the Migrants
Following their hospital care, the eight individuals are expected to be handed over to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). They will be able to apply for asylum following this process.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by migrants attempting to cross borders, particularly under extreme weather conditions.
