Body of missing 8-year-old found in freezing Steenwijk canal after extensive search
The body of an 8-year-old Calvin who went missing Saturday evening was discovered Sunday in the Steenwijkerdiep canal, police reported. According to the AD, authorities said there is no reason to suspect foul play. On Saturday night, temperatures in the Steenwijk region dropped below freezing, with lows around -3 degrees and an average of about -2.4 degrees—well below typical January norms.
The boy was last seen around 7 p.m. Saturday near a Chinese restaurant along the Steenwijkerdiep. Volunteers quickly joined the search, with roughly 400 to 500 people combing the area in small groups, according to local reports.
Search efforts focused heavily on the canal, where a dive team examined the waters beneath the ice, and underwater cameras were deployed.
A police helicopter also assisted in the operation, along with specialized volunteer groups, including the Coordination Platform for Missing Persons Urk and the Veteran Search Team.
Police issued a missing child alert Saturday night, describing the boy as approximately 1.2 meters tall with black hair, wearing a blue jacket, blue-and-white pants, and blue rain boots. "Given the weather conditions and his age, we were seriously concerned," authorities said.
The search continued deep into the night but initially yielded no results. On Sunday, police asked local residents to review security camera footage and check sheds, carports, and gardens in the area for any sign of the boy.
Police later confirmed the boy’s body was recovered from the canal. “We thank everyone who helped search for the boy,” they wrote on social media. “We wish the family the greatest strength at this difficult time.” The exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
