OTTAWA: A stabbing spree in an Indigenous community and a nearby town in Canada’s Saskatchewan province left at least 10 people dead and 15 wounded on Sunday, police said, as they launched a manhunt for two suspects in one of the nation’s deadliest incidents of mass violence.

Police responding to emergency calls found 10 dead in the remote Indigenous community of James Smith Cree Nation and the nearby town of Weldon, Saskatchewan, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissio­ner Rhonda Blackmore told a news conference.

She said at least 15 other people had been wounded and transported to hospitals.

“It is horrific what has occurred in our province today,” she said. “We are actively looking for the two suspects.” The alleged attackers fled in a vehicle and have been identified as Myles and Damien Sanderson, both with black hair and brown eyes.

The James Smith Cree Nation, with a population of 2,500, declared a local state of emergency, while many residents of Saskatchewan province were urged to shelter in place.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the attacks “horrific and heartbreaking” in a tweet, offering condolences and urging residents to heed authorities’ instructions.

Blackmore said authorities believe “some of the victims were targeted by the suspects and others were attacked randomly.” “To speak of a motive would be extremely difficult at this point in time,” she added.

TV images showed a few rural homes in fields of tall grass and trees, cordoned off with police tape.

Weldon resident Diane Shier told local media her neighbour, a man who lived with his grandson, was killed in the attack.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority said it had activated emergency protocols to deal with “a high number of critical patients.” “We can confirm that multiple people are being triaged and cared for at multiple sites and that a call for additional staff to help respond to this situation has occurred,” it added.

Three helicopters were dispatched to the remote northern communities to transport stabbing victims and bring a doctor to the scene.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2022