Tragedy Strikes as 15-Year-Old Girl Dies in Fall at Shuttered Factory in Shawinigan

Tragic news has emerged from Shawinigan, northeast of Montreal, as Quebec provincial police confirm the death of a 15-year-old girl following a fall at the site of a former factory. The incident took place at the abandoned Belgo factory, a paper mill that has been closed since 2008.

According to Sgt. Frédéric Deshaies, the victim’s relative contacted emergency services around 8:30 p.m. on Friday after the girl fell into a silo at the factory site. It was reported that two youths had ventured onto the premises for a walk and had climbed to the top of a silo when the tragic accident occurred, resulting in the girl becoming trapped inside the concrete and metal structure.

Local firefighters in Shawinigan immediately called for assistance from their counterparts in nearby Trois-Rivières to conduct a confined space rescue operation. After several hours of intense efforts, the young victim was located and freed around 4:40 a.m. on Saturday. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was unfortunately pronounced dead.

The authorities have stated that a coroner will be conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the girl’s untimely death. Thankfully, the teenager who was accompanying her at the time of the incident did not sustain any injuries.

This heartbreaking tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with exploring abandoned industrial sites. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of the young girl who lost her life in this devastating accident.