French-side fire and rescue teams have joined the search for a missing hiker on Saba.
At the request of the Governor of Saba, two dog handlers from the French-side fire and rescue service, STIS 978, were deployed on Saturday morning with their sniffer dogs to assist in the search for the 53-year-old hiker.
The team departed from Princess Juliana International Airport and landed in Saba around 11:50 AM, where they immediately joined the ongoing search operation. The mission was initially scheduled to last 24 hours.
Officials say the deployment followed consultations with the Antilles zone headquarters and the relevant national authorities, due to the specialized nature of this type of emergency support.
The operation highlights the cooperation between French and Dutch authorities in responding to emergencies in the Caribbean.
Authorities have continued urging the public to follow official updates and avoid independent searches in difficult terrain, so trained teams can operate safely and effectively.