SABA (THE BOTTOM) - The Public Entity of Saba in its update said: "Today (Ed Tuesday, May 19, 2026), teams were again deployed on the ongoing search for Erik Matthijsen, who was last seen on May 13th in the Well’s Bay area.
"With the guidance of local hikers of Saba Conservation Foundation, ground teams continued checking trails and possible venture points that Mr. Matthijsen could have taken. This included the assistance of USAR.NL, with specially trained dogs. A drone search was also conducted.
"Tomorrow (Ed Wednesday, May 20, 2026), these ground searches will continue on the trails.
"Additionally, the Bottom Mountain trail has been re-opened, and can be used by all."
ARCHIVED - MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026 - SABA (THE BOTTOM) - The Public Entity of Saba reported on Monday evening May 18, 2026 that, "Tomorrow morning (Ed Tuesday, May 19, 2026), the search for Erik Matthijsen will continue. Several teams will be deployed to conduct ground searches.
"The Bottom Mountain trail, Middle Island and North Coast trail will remain closed. The public is asked to stay off these routes entirely."
ARCHIVED - SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026 - SABA (THE BOTTOM) - The Public Entity Saba reported, "On May 17th, a team from the Urban Search and Rescue Netherlands (USAR.NL) arrived on Saba, as part of additional assistance in the search for Erik Matthijsen.
"This first USAR team with dogs deployed in the search area in the late afternoon, again led with the assistance of local experienced hikers of the Saba Conservation Foundation.
"It has been 4 days since Erik went on a hike in the Well’s Bay area. Erik was also a member of the USAR.NL, and he came to the island as part of the Mount Scenery Tower project.
"Last night (Ed. Saturday, May 16, 2026), the crisis team met and agreed that due to the amount of time since he was last seen, the search has therefore turned from rescue into recovery. This means that it is unlikely that the teams will find him alive.
"USAR is the specialized search and rescue team that provides assistance on behalf of the Netherlands when people are missing everywhere in the world, for example, after a natural disaster."
ARCHIVED - SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026 - SABA (THE BOTTOM) - The Public Entity of Saba in a Saturday evening May 16, 2026 update states: "After three complete days of searching for Erik Matthijsen, the search so far has remained unsuccessful.
"Efforts continued today (Ed Saturday, May 16, 2026) until sunset with the added assistance of two search dogs from the French Fire Department from Saint Martin.
"11:00 a.m. today marked 72 hours since he had last been seen, a critical point in the search.
"At 9:20 p.m., it has been 82 hours since he had last been seen in the Well’s Bay area. Based on this timeline and advice from medical teams, the nature of our search therefore has turned from rescue to recovery.
"This means that it is unlikely that the missing person will be found alive. This search will continue tomorrow after the arrival of a team of USAR, consisting of 11 persons and 9 dogs."
SABA (THE BOTTOM) - The Public Entity of Saba provided an update on Saturday afternoon May 16, 2026: "We are making an urgent call to all residents to check camera footage on May 13th anytime from 11:00 a.m. until midnight in the area of Well’s Bay area and in The Bottom as we continue our search for Mr. Erik Matthijssen.
"He was last seen at 11:00 a.m. at Well’s Bay on Wednesday May 13th, wearing a grey t-shirt, black shorts and a black backpack.
"If you have may have spotted him on your camera, or gave him a ride on that day, please contact 911.
"At daybreak, search teams were again deployed to find Mr. Erik Matthijsen along the Middle Island trail and its surrounding areas. Teams are currently traversing, both on and off the designated trails to possible venture and viewpoints, through rugged landscape in some areas. Specially trained dogs from St. Martin Fire Department have also arrived on island to further assist in the search and have been deployed.
"Yesterday (Ed Friday, May 15, 2026), two helicopters were used to comb the area while ground teams continued the search.
"As of 11:00 a.m. today (Ed. Saturday, May 16, 2026) marks 72 hours since Mr. Matthijsen was last seen, on his way to hike in the Wells Bay area.
"We will continue to update the public as the situation progresses."
ARCHIVED - FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026 - SABA (THE BOTTOM) - Following another full day (Ed. Friday, May 15, 2026) of searching, Mr. Matthijsen has not yet been found, the Public Entity Saba said in an update on Friday.
"Teams have been extensively thorough in their search for him on and off trails, checking possible venture points and viewpoints.
"The helicopter of the contractor of the Mt. Scenery tower project has been used, as well as the medical evacuation helicopter for more aerial support. Marines are still checking trails on the ground and making observations with drones.
"Yesterday (Ed. Thursday, May 14, 2026), these efforts were also combined with coastal checks from the Coast Guard’s boat, the DASH patrol airplane, and rangers from Saba Conservation Foundation leading hikes on all possible trails that Mr. Matthijsen could have traversed. The search location was narrowed down to the Middle Island Trail and its surrounding areas.
"Early in the day tomorrow (Ed. Saturday, May 16, 2026), ground teams will continue the search, with guides from SCF. We are also actively exploring all other avenues that could assist with finding Mr. Matthijsen."
ARCHIVED - THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026) - SABA (THE BOTTOM) – The Public Entity Saba Communications Department wishes to inform the public that the search for Erik Matthijsen is ongoing. Despite extensive search efforts carried out since this morning Matthijsen has not yet been located.
Through camera footage analysis, the search area has been confirmed, while allowing other trails to be ruled out. With this and information from the trail searches, the search area has been narrowed down to the region between Middle Island and the Sulphur Mine Trail.
The Ladder Bay trail will be reopened from tomorrow morning for public use.
All identified trails within the search zone have been checked, including probable off-trail routes and viewpoints. Several experienced teams, with guidance from the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), have participated in these operations.
Specific coastal areas have been searched from the sea with the assistance of the Coast Guard vessel and drones, while aerial teams checked below and around the trails, using the helicopter from the contractor involved with the Mount Scenery Tower Project. Additionally, the DASH patrol airplane was also utilized by the Coast Guard to provide aerial footage.
To ensure the safety of all involved, there will be no ground search during the night. Our search efforts are continuing until night fall. Thermal imagery handheld cameras and drones are utilized in these efforts, as temperatures drop. This allows search teams to more effectively identify heat signals as they focus on more defined areas within the search zone. Ground searches will continue in the morning.
We once again remind the public that no one is advised to enter the trails in the search area or conduct independent searches. This is essential for everyone’s safety.
“Last night, our crisis team convened and were able to arrange the use of thermal imaging drones throughout the night,” said Island Governor Jonathan Johnson. “The teams conducted searches, beginning very early and continuing throughout the day. This evening, the drones will once again be utilized. Our teams remain fully dedicated to finding Mr. Matthijsen and will continue again tomorrow morning.”
We also extend our sincere gratitude to all safety and crisis partners involved in this operation, including KPCN, BKCN, the Ministry of Defence, the Coast Guard, Marines, the National Crisis Center, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the Saba Conservation Foundation, and especially all volunteers involved.
Public Entity Saba Government Administration Building
