Cuba Apologizes To Canada For Repeating The Death Toll While On Vacation

JAKARTA - The Cuban Authority apologized to Canada after authorities accidentally handed over the body of a person to a grieving Canadian family, as one of its members died while on vacation in the Caribbean nation in March.

Faraj Jarjour, a Canadian citizen of Syrian descent, died of a heart attack at the Varadero beach resort, two hours east of Havana on March 22, according to a report by Canada's CBC news agency.

A few weeks later, his family was shocked to find the bodies of a much younger tattooed man in a coffin sent from Cuba to a funeral home near Montreal, the family told CBC.

The bodies handed over were not similar to their fathers, the family said. Even so, the identity of the bodies handed over was not clear.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on social media on Wednesday he had spoken to Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly about the "poor incident".

"The Cuban authorities are conducting an investigation to clarify the incident," Foreign Minister Rodriguez said.

"I extend my condolences and sincere apologies to relatives and friends of the deceased," he continued.

The Jarjour family continues to wait for the delivery of their father's body from Cuba, after more than a month since his departure.

Cuban state media itself has not reported details about the accidental shipment.

Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Joly confirmed that she had spoken to Rodriguez, saying Canadian officials were working with Cuba to resolve the chaos over Jarjour's body.

"We are also concerned about the inconceivable situation faced by his family," Foreign Minister Joly said on social media.

Cuba remains a popular destination among Canadians despite the severe economic crisis that has caused food shortages, fuels and medicines.