Hercules aircraft joins search for Nunavut teen missing near Igloolik

An RCAF Hercules aircraft joined the RCMP and hunters from Igloolik in a search for Daryl Auksaq, 16, of Igloolik, who went missing early Aug. 5 in waters near Igloolik.

A relative of Auksaq who called Nunatsiaq News, but did not wish to give his name, said the teenage boy was in a boat by himself, travelling with other boaters that morning to a popular fishing spot about 20 minutes from Igloolik called Sigjarrituk.

The man said when the other boaters looked behind them for Auksaq, they saw his empty boat spinning in circles.

The Igloolik bylaw officer and a local boater found the boat and learned soon after, at around 7 a.m., that Auksaq was missing, the RCMP said in a news release.

Police said eyewitnesses told them they last saw Auksaq starting his boat in the early hours of Aug. 5.

Local searchers and police did a ground search and a Hercules aircraft joined in.

As of the early evening, of Aug. 6, the search was continuing, police said.