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Six presumed drowned in Richmond, B.C. charter boat disaster mourned

Published July 7, 2026 at 2:51 AM UTC

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On June 28, 2026, a tragic incident occurred off the coast of Richmond, British Columbia, when a charter fishing boat capsized in the Strait of Georgia. The vessel, carrying ten individuals, sank in deep waters near Roberts Bank, leading to the presumed drowning of six passengers. The remaining four were rescued, with two in critical condition and two others discharged from the hospital after treatment. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) suspended search operations at 9:45 p.m. on the day of the incident, transitioning efforts to recovery. The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team is now preparing for a deep-water search using sonar and potentially underwater drones to locate the sunken vessel. The absence of life jackets on board has been noted, which significantly reduced the chances of survival for those still missing. The RCMP has not released the names of the victims, and investigations into the cause of the sinking are ongoing. The community has been deeply affected by this tragedy, with vigils held to honor the victims. On July 6, approximately 100 mourners gathered at a public dock in Richmond to commemorate the six individuals missing and feared drowned. Dozens of bouquets of white flowers, a symbol of mourning in Chinese culture, were placed on Imperial Landing Docks in Steveston, B.C., as friends and relatives gathered in silence, embracing each other and shedding tears. Among the victims was 23-year-old Chen Ming, the captain of the boat, who was remembered as a caring and responsible individual. His mother, Ashley Lin, expressed her heartbreak over the incident and urged the charter company to provide a statement regarding the tragedy. The community continues to grieve, seeking answers and support in the wake of this devastating event.