A passenger who was rescued from a sunken commercial charter fishing boat in British Columbia's Strait of Georgia has died in hospital, according to officials. The victim was among the survivors pulled from the water after the vessel capsized on June 28, 2026, but succumbed to injuries on July 7.
Details of the Incident
The charter boat, carrying a total of 12 people, capsized under unclear circumstances in the Strait of Georgia near Vancouver. Six passengers were initially presumed drowned after the tragedy. The latest death brings the confirmed number of fatalities to seven, with five others having survived the incident.
Rescue crews from the Canadian Coast Guard and local marine units responded to the scene shortly after the capsizing was reported. Survivors were transported to hospitals in the Vancouver area, where the passenger later died.
Community Response
A vigil was held at the Imperial Landing Dock in Richmond, B.C., on June 5, 2026, to honor the victims. Caryn Zhang, a local resident, provided a handout photo of the gathering. The Canadian Press reported that attendees paid tribute to the six people who were initially believed to have drowned.
“Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those lost in this terrible accident,” said a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in a statement. “We are working closely with transportation safety investigators to determine the cause of the capsizing.”
Investigation Underway
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation into the incident. Preliminary reports suggest that weather conditions may have played a role, though no official cause has been determined. The charter company is cooperating with authorities.
The tragedy has raised concerns about safety regulations for commercial fishing charters in British Columbia. Local officials are calling for a review of safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The deceased passenger has not been publicly identified, pending notification of next of kin. The hospital where the death occurred has not released further details.
