Man and woman die in separate drownings in Nananimo, B.C., police say

NANAIMO — Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., are investigating the unrelated drowning deaths of a man and woman in the waters in and around Departure Bay.

Police responded to a report to check on the well-being of a woman at Departure Bay Beach just after 6 p.m., on Wednesday, it took searchers three hours to find the woman’s body.

About 90 minutes after that search began, police say they responded to a report of a swimmer in distress near the Brechin Boat Ramp.

First responders pulled a man out of the water and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say foul play isn’t suspected in either death, but they are investigating along with the BC Coroners service.

Mounties say in a news release that various people witnessed both drownings, and they encouraged those people to reach out to Nanaimo RCMP victim services for support.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2026.

The Canadian Press