On this very day of September 2nd, 1998 at 1031pm. Swissair 111 crashed off the shore of Peggy’s Cove.
All 215 passengers and 14 crew members, that were on board the aircraft, perished in the waters.
There was a huge emergency response from all across the province including resources from Halifax, South Shore & the Annapolis Valley.
Halifax Tourism arranged for up to 900 hotel rooms to be held to accommodate family members of the victims.
The provinces air ambulance was also activated around 11 that very evening landing in a nearby field. Multiple hospitals nearby were placed on a emergency alert and informed of the situation.
Around 3:30am, it became more clear there were no survivors and the emergency alert was cancelled along with EHS services.
Hundreds of Nova Scotians took the waters to assist with recovery efforts, including local fisherman in their vessels.
Government staff worked with military personnel at Canadian Forces Base Shearwater to set up a temporary morgue. Department of Natural Resources transported roughly 150 stretchers to the Shearwater base.
Our thoughts continue to remain with the first responders, searchers, family members and everyone who was directly involved in this large incident even over 20 years ago.
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=19980903002
File photo from Peggy’s Cove August 25th/2023.
Adrian J.
