Six People Found Dead In Akwesasne Marsh Near Quebec-New York Border

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service found six dead bodies in a marsh near the Quebec-Ontario-New York borders on Thursday afternoon.

Among the deceased was a child with a Canadian passport, according to CTV News.

On the Akwesasne police’s official Facebook page, they confirmed they found the first body at approximately 5:00 p.m. in a marsh in Tsi Snaihne Akwesasne, Quebec. 

They also added that they are waiting for assistance from both Quebec and Ontario provincial police departments. They are seeking air support units to assist them in their investigation.

The causes of death have not yet been confirmed as police wait for post-mortem and toxicology reports.

“Police are attempting to identify the deceased persons at this time and ascertain their status in Canada,” they wrote. “There is no threat to the public at this time.”

Quebec public security minister François Bonnardel tweeted his condolences and confirmed that the Sûreté du Québec would assist in the investigation.

The Montreal Gazette further reported that the Akwesasne police had reported an increase in “illegal entries through [their] lands and waterways” since February.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden agreed to close Roxham Road, a rural road where asylum seekers could cross the border due to a loophole in the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States.

According to the CBC, immigration experts say closing Roxham Road would lead to “humanitarian catastrophes.”