Six people from two families -- one of Romanian descent with Canadian passports, the other from India -- were found dead in a marsh near the Canada-US border after trying to cross illegally into the United States, police said Friday.
Their bodies were discovered late Thursday near a capsized boat belonging to a missing man from the Akwesasne Mohawk community, local deputy police chief Lee-Ann O'Brien told a news conference.
"The six individuals are believed to be from two families, one of Romanian descent and the other believed to be citizens of India," she said, adding that they include five adults and one child under the age of three.
"All are believed to have been attempting illegal entry into the US from Canada," she said.
O'Brien added that a second infant whose passport was recovered from one of the bodies appears to also be missing and police dive teams were continuing to search.
The Mohawk tribal territory straddles the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario, and the US state of New York.
The first body was found during an aerial search of the area.
Authorities are waiting on autopsy as well as toxicology test results to determine the cause of death.
O'Brien noted a recent "increase in people passing through Akwesasne gaining entry into the US," with 48 crossings since the start of the year.
Once landing on the US side, they are typically picked up on shore and transported by vehicle into New York State, she said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Person In Constitutional Post Trying To Destroy Economy: Jagdeep Dhankhar
Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan India Sends 1,400 kg Anti-Cancer Drugs To Syria In Humanitarian Assistance Police Arrest Suspect In Bihar Dalit Girl Kidnapping, Murder Case 80 Killed In Paramilitary Attack In Sudan Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.