Local rescuers continue search for Kugluktuk man missing since April 26

The official search for Albert Anavilok has been called off, but people continue to look in hopes of finding the Kugluktuk man safe after he was reported missing two weeks ago.

In an email Friday, Nunavut RCMP confirmed Anavilok has still not been found.

He is described as 58 years old, five-foot-six, weighing 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anavilok and a second man, who authorities have not identified but who was found safe, were reported missing April 26 after setting out from Kugluktuk for a camp near Cambridge Bay five days before.

Search and rescue groups from Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay were dispatched. Then on April 27, Nunavut Emergency Management brought in air support, including a Twin Otter plane and a helicopter.

On May 1, Canada’s Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre deployed a C-130 Hercules plane from Winnipeg to aid in the search, according to a news release from Nunavut’s Department of Community and Government Services.

On May 1, search teams found the first missing person in good health and returned him to his family. With his help, searchers found what they believe are Anavilok’s footprints.

However, by May 5, after consulting various search and rescue agencies, Nunavut Emergency Management “determined that the search and rescue file will be closed,” according to the news release.

In an email Thursday, Community and Government Services spokesperson Cyrone Cabut said that “while Nunavut Emergency Management has closed this file and ceased air support, efforts continue at the community level to search for the missing individual.”

He said the file was closed due to factors “such as the length of time the search had been ongoing, the supplies available to the individual, the air support provided and the weather conditions.”