Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Miriam Jarjour said in an interview Thursday that she and her brother identified their father's body after receiving proof from the Canadian government.
Faraj Jarjour, 68, died on March 22 in Varadero, Cuba, and when they went to identify the father of two, a Russian man about 20 years younger -- who looked nothing like him -- was in the casket.
The family is still waiting for more details about how and when his body will be brought back to Canada.
"We're not happy up until now … we don't know when my father's body will arrive. I haven't had a funeral for my father. We're not sleeping well," said Miriam. "We just went on a little vacation but the vacation was a catastrophe."
It has been a tiring, devastating, and long ordeal that has really taken a toll on her mother.
She also confirmed that the Cuban government has refunded the family the $10,000 they paid to repatriate their father. "We're not well. The money means nothing for us because of what happened," Miriam said.
On Wednesday, the Cuban foreign minister apologized to the family on social media.
"Cuban authorities investigate to clarify the incident. I conveyed heartfelt condolences & apologies to relatives and friends of the deceased."
Canadian foreign minister Mélanie Joly called it an "unimaginable situation" on social media, adding that, "Canada will continue to help the Jarjour family until this situation is resolved."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
Biden speaks after Donald Trump's conviction in hush money case
A day after a New York jury delivered a historic guilty verdict in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee held a press conference Friday where he spoke publicly about the conviction and his White House bid.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
How did Ontario's bankrupt 'Crypto King' travel the world on Scene+ points?
Newly released documents suggest Ontario’s so-called ‘Crypto King’ paid for months of world travels with $13,000 worth of Scene+ points while bankrupt – but how?
More counterfeit drugs seized, hot water boiler causes fire: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada recalled various items this week, including more unauthorized products, counterfeit drugs and bassinets.
Mediterranean diet helps women live much longer, a large new study finds
Women who closely followed a Mediterranean diet lived much longer than those who did not, according to a new study that followed more than 25,000 women for 25 years.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Solutions coming for piled-up bodies outside Newfoundland hospital
Health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador say they are only weeks away from a solution to move unclaimed human remains out of roadside freezers and into a nearby hospital.