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Norwegian auuthorities confirm that the body found on the shore by a hiker at Gamvik belongs to the missing Mr Reidar Nilsen. Photo: No. 330 Squadron RNoAF
Police in Finnmark, Norway have confirmed that the body found on the shore by a hiker at Gamvik on Thursday 14 April last belongs to the late Mr Reidar Nilsen.
Mr Nilsen (74) has been missing since 09 January this year when their fishing boat ‘Peik’ ran aground on rocks. His son Remi Andre Nilsen (43) who was also onboard, was found dead close to the scene where their boat grounded. The father and son team had left Hasvik earlier in the day to haul king crab pots.
Searches for Mr Nilsen were carried out in the vicinity of where the incident occurred by the coast guard, local fishermen and local volunteers who combed the shoreline but there was no trace of the missing man until a hiker found a body in the vicinity of where Mr Nilsen’s boat had come ashore.
At the time the body was found Finnmark Police District Operations Manager Tarjei Leinan-Mathisen said, “The person showed signs of being dead for a while and was wearing clothes.”
Mr Nilsen is a former chief of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association and was a highly respected leader who was recognised by many for modernising the fishing industry under his term in office.
The late Mr Reidar Nilse who was missing since 09 January 2022
Police attorney Airin Andersen at the Finnmark police district wrote in a press release issued yesterday:
“The police have today received an answer to the forensic examinations, and which confirms that it was the missing Reidar Nilsen who was found dead on Maundy Thursday 14 April in Gamvik municipality. Reidar Nilsen has been missing since January 9 when the boat he was on sank off Gamvik. The relatives are informed about the results of the investigations.”
Hasvik mayor, Eva Husby expressed relief that Mr Nilsen has now been found and that the family has a grave to go to.
She said. “First and foremost, you feel a relief for the family, but also for the Hasvik community and the fishing industry in general. It is good that we can now end this in a proper way.
“In the midst of all the sadness, we now feel a great relief in the whole thing.”