Two missing canoeists near Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., presumed drowned

The search for two people presumed missing on the Mackenzie River near Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., is now considered a recovery effort.

RCMP say personal items recovered have led police to believe the pair have likely drowned.

The search and rescue effort started after police received a report Wednesday that a capsized canoe had been found about five kilometres from Tsiigehtchic.

The RCMP, along with the communities of Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson, the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, and the N.W.T. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, conducted searches along the Mackenzie River a radius of approximately 130 kilometres from where the canoe was located.

Last week, Marjorie Dobson, Tsiigehtchic's senior administrative officer, said Daniel Andre, who's from the community, was one of the missing people.

Dobson said the identity of the second person wasn't known, but it was believed the individual was not from the territory. She said the two planned to stay at a camp about 80 kilometres from Tsiigehtchic for the month of September.

A fishing camp believed to be that of the missing people was located and searched, the RCMP say, and no evidence of foul play was found.

Remains may never be found

"It is believed that the two missing people have succumbed to the elements," an RCMP press release said.

"Although searchers remain hopeful, there is the unfortunate possibility that the remains of the missing people may not be recovered."

RCMP will be scaling back its efforts over the next few days, but the investigation will remain open as a missing personscase.