No one believed in miracles in Guyana anymore. The lifeless body of the French soldier who disappeared on Sunday, on the Oyapock River, was found on Wednesday, we learned from concordant sources. Explanations.
What happened at the time of his disappearance?
The incident occurred on Sunday around 21 p.m. local time during the HARPIE mission to combat illegal gold panning - the search for and artisanal exploitation of gold. "Acting in support of the gendarmerie, the non-commissioned officer, canoeist in the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (REI), customary chief for the Teko Amerindians of Camopi and member of the Customary Grand Council, was looking for an illegal logistical canoe at the time of the accident," the Ministry of the Armed Forces said earlier in the morning in a statement.
French Guiana: a soldier missing after a canoe
➡️ accident https://t.co/mmbX885wHm pic.twitter.com/FKqwPcte7S
— Le Parisien | miscellaneous facts (@leparisien_fdiv) May 8, 2023
According to the first elements of the investigation, "the boat hit a tree while operating at night in adverse weather. In shock, the boatman fell." A mobile gendarme was also wounded. This tragedy follows last month the death of GIGN Major Arnaud Blanc, also killed during a mission against illegal gold panning.
How was the body found?
"The body has been found, that's the main thing, we will be able to give him a funeral," said Laurent Yawalou, mayor of Camopi, in eastern Guyana, where the soldier was from.
According to a source close to the case, the body of the boatman, a member of the Armed Forces of Guyana (FAG), was found at 13:45 p.m., French time, by a FAG patrol in the Oyapock River, near Camopi. Questioned by AFP, the Ministry of the Armed Forces refused for the moment to confirm this information.
Who is the soldier found dead?
According to initial information, it is Warrant Officer Guy Barcarel of the Foreign Legion. The man had the rank of non-commissioned officer and canoeist in the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (REI). He was also a customary chief for the Teko Indians of Camopi and a member of the Grand Customary Council.
Deeply saddened by the death of Warrant Officer Guy Barcarel as part of an operation to combat illegal gold panning.
I send my heartfelt thoughts to his companion, his six children and his brothers in arms of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment.
— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) May 10, 2023
The Minister of the Armed Forces said he was "deeply saddened" and sent his "moved thoughts" to his relatives on his Twitter account. Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that Warrant Officer Guy Barcarel was the father of six children with his partner. The Minister Delegate for Overseas Territories spoke of "a great servant of Guyana and France", who will be "deeply missed by all". A minute's silence was already held in the Defence Committee on Wednesday.
