In Meschers-sur-Gironde, an 11-year-old girl in summer camp, missing – France 3 Régions

It was on Friday, August 13, in the afternoon, that the tragedy occurred. In summer camp, a group of children from Orléans was swimming on Vergnes beach in Meschers-sur -Gironde. It was then that the group was surprised by the tide leading to the intervention of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) of Charente-Maritime. Yet according to France Blue, the group of children was swimming in a supervised area.

“What we know is that a group of about twenty young people was swimming, with the tide, 3 of them began to have difficulties, fortunately not serious.“, details the secretary general of the prefecture of Charente-Maritime, Pierre Molager.

According to a press release from the Charente-Maritime prefecture, a child was immediately transported to the hospital of Saintes, without its vital prognosis being engaged. On the other hand, after being rescued, the animators realized that another girl – aged 11 – was missing, probably carried away by the current.

Organized by the Aroeven, the regional association of educational and holiday works of national education, the holiday camp brings together children from Orléans, Tours and the Paris region. Based on information from France Blue Loiret, the missing girl is taken care of by Social Aid for Children and lives at the Serenne home in Orléans.

Research continues August 14

“Significant search and rescue resources were quickly deployed“Says the press release from the prefecture. It specifies that as of August 13, 26 emergency personnel and law enforcement personnel were mobilized for research at sea. The teams are provided with”3 rescue vehicles, 2 nautical means from the beach stations, 1 jet-ski, 1 nautical means of the fire-fighters, 1 nautical means of the harbor master’s office as well as the Dragon 17 helicopter“, as stated in the press release.

At the end of the day, after several hours of research, in vain, operations were suspended for the night. They resumed on August 14 in the morning and are continuing. At the same time, an investigation was opened by the Saintes prosecutor’s office to determine the circumstances of the tragedy.

After more than 24 hours without news, the chances of finding the envious girl again are slimmer and thinner. “There is little hope of finding her alive now“, declares the sub-prefect of Jonzac, Estelle Leprêtre, to France Blue. But the prefecture has not abdicated. “With the passage of time, hopes are dwindling and we are very worried. Nevertheless, we do not want to neglect anything. For her and for her relatives, the prefect asked that we be able to mobilize the necessary means to give ourselves every chance of finding her.“, assures, for his part, Pierre Molager.

To do this, patrols crisscross the coast and a gendarmerie helicopter circles the area in an attempt to find the 11-year-old girl. On the morning of August 14, nautical resources with divers were also mobilized.

My support for the relatives of the girl who disappeared in #sea in Meschers-sur-Gironde. 3 people were rescued.
Research continues.
A medico-psychological emergency unit accompanies the children and the summer camp leaders.
An investigation is open https://t.co/UehOpcgykb

– Sarah EL HAÏRY (@sarahelhairy) August 14, 2021

While waiting for news and after their rescue, a medico-psychological unit was opened with the children and animators of the summer camp. “VSt was a moment of joy, of vacation, of reunion for all these children. It is obviously a very difficult time. This is the reason why we try to be at our best by their side and, at our level, to support them in difficult times.“, insists Pierre Molager, the secretary general of the prefecture of Charente-Maritime. The children should be reunited with their families during the day of August 15, one day before the initial end of the stay.

MAP. Vergnes beach in Meschers-sur-Gironde.