THE BOTTOM, Saba – French search and rescue teams from Saint-Martin have joined the ongoing search operation on Saba for missing hiker Erik Matthijsen, following a request for assistance from local authorities.
According to the Préfet de Saint-Barthélemy et de Saint-Martin, two specialized canine units from the STIS fire and rescue service in Saint-Martin were deployed on Friday to support search efforts on the Dutch Caribbean island.
The French teams are operating in coordination with local emergency responders on Saba. Authorities stated that data and information gathered during the operation are currently being analyzed to help guide the continuation of the search.
The Prefecture described the deployment as an example of the strong operational cooperation and mutual assistance between France and the Netherlands in handling emergency situations in the Caribbean region.
The search for Matthijsen has now entered its fourth day. Earlier, Saba authorities confirmed that helicopters, ground teams, and specially trained search dogs had been deployed in and around the rugged Well’s Bay and Middle Island trail areas, where the missing hiker was last seen.
