Loaned plane renews air search for Igloolik elder
Last Updated: Thursday, June 28, 2007 | 9:29 AM CT
CBC News
Seven searchers from Igloolik began a third air search Wednesday for 81-year-old Enoki Kunuk, who has been missing from the Nunavut community since June 1.
Two previous air searches — including one using military aircraft — and numerous ground searches have not located Kunuk, who did not return from a caribou hunting trip about 100 kilometres north of the hamlet.
Igloolik Mayor Paul Quassa told CBC News Wednesday that Air Inuit of Nunavik freed up a Twin Otter airplane, allowing the spotters to launch the new air search. That search continues Thursday.
Quassa said the ground searches had to be halted because the snow melted, leaving flights as the only way to cover the large area.
"We can't do any search without the support of an airline," Quassa said.
He said the community was "just grounded" after another loaned airplane finished conducting a search last weekend.
"We're really relying on air support and we got it. So I think it's heartwarming [and] lifting to our hearts, I think for the whole community and the family members."
The Air Inuit plane is flying over a large area close to Arctic Bay, where Kunuk is suspected to be. The searchers had planned to look for at least 20 hours over two days.
Another single-engine airplane will be used on Friday, Quassa said. That plane is being loaned by a mining company near Hall Beach.
If search efforts are not successful by Friday, Quassa said the crew will regroup to determine what to do next.
