River near Grand-Santi last Saturday have been recovered. French media houses reported that last Sunday two bodies were recovered and last Monday two more. There were seven people onboard of the boat which capsized last Saturday. One of the people was the boatman while all of the six passengers were teachers. Three people managed to swim to safety while four teachers went missing in the water. The three teachers who made it to the shore were given medical treatment at the healthcare center that is located in the village of Grand-Santi.

Shortly after the boat mishap had taken place a search and rescue operation was launched. Reports indicate that the passengers had attended a meeting at the other side of the river and that they were on their way back when tragedy struck. Mayor Félix Dada initially explained that the boat probably had engine trouble. The boat mishap had once again emphasized the need for safety on the river. On January 1st, 2026 a rule from neighboring French Guiana which states that life jackets are mandatory on all rivers and creeks went into effect. But getting people to follow this rule is evidently a big problem. The French authorities confirmed that investigators will focus on the circumstances surrounding the accident but that they will also try to determine if the passengers wore life jackets. Meanwhile the aluminum canoe which capsized was found at the bottom of the river. During the search and rescue operations police officers, soldiers, firefighters, divers, helicopters and a drone were deployed.