Provincial police confirmed that four children and one man lost their lives during the ill-fated outing.

The heartbreaking incident unfolded near the village of Portneuf-sur-Mer, located approximately 550 kilometers northeast of Montreal.

Following an emergency call reporting a group swept up by the tide, the lifeless bodies of the four children, all minors aged older than 10, were discovered on the river bank several hours later.

Rescue efforts were underway, and provincial police divers successfully pulled a man in his 30s, who was part of the fishing party, out of the river on Saturday evening.

The group of 11 individuals had been engaged in a capelin fishing activity on foot near the shore when they were caught off guard by the sudden rise of the tide. Tragically, this unforeseen turn of events led to the loss of innocent lives.

Mayor Jean-Maurice Tremblay, while expressing his condolences, revealed on Saturday that he had limited information about the victims and their connection to Portneuf-sur-Mer, a community with a population of approximately 600 people.

This devastating incident has deeply affected the local community, leaving them in mourning. Authorities will likely conduct further investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and provide answers to the grieving families and the community at large. (ILKHA)