A 19-year-old Sikh woman from India, Gursimran Kaur, tragically lost her life after being cooked to death inside the oven of a Walmart Bakery in Canada. A woman who relocated to Canada from the UK alongside her mother in the last three years was discovered deceased by her mother in the bakery section of the store, which was still operational at the time. The daughter and her mother gained recognition within the local Sikh community, having been employed at the Mumford Road Walmart for the last two years.
Halifax regional police have confirmed the discovery of Gursimran Kaur’s body in a walk-in oven. “We encourage the community to exercise caution when disseminating unverified information on social media,” HRP stated in a release on Tuesday. The public learned her identity with her mother’s approval, as the Maritime Sikh Society confirmed that Kaur was the victim of a tragic event that occurred last Saturday night.
On Saturday at approximately 9:30 PM, authorities in Halifax confirmed they had been alerted to a sudden death at the Walmart on Mumford Road.
Who is Gursimran Kaur?
Kaur and her mother, originally from India, relocated to Canada from the UK three years ago. Kaur’s father and brother are still in India, anxiously waiting for news regarding the tragedy. Gursimran Kaur made the move to Canada in pursuit of enhanced job prospects. A GoFundMe report reveals that Kaur, who arrived in Canada with ambitious aspirations, has been employed at Walmart alongside her mother for the past two years.
On the day of the tragic event, her mother was desperately searching for her after having not seen her for one hour. Kaur’s mother continued to inquire about her daughter’s whereabouts, but each person she approached dismissed her concerns, assuming she was simply assisting a customer, as Walmart is a superstore, after all. Her phone was unavailable. Kaur’s mother found her daughter in the bakery department, where she had suffered burns, all while the Walmart store remained open to customers.
The community is reeling from the shocking news of Gursimran Kaur’s death.
The website indicates that Gursimran’s father and brother are currently in India, with efforts underway by communities to facilitate their arrival here at the earliest opportunity. The hardships faced by this family are beyond comprehension and defy description. “Your support is crucial for them to navigate this challenging period,” the website states.
The Maritime Sikh Society has taken action to offer psychological counselling for the family and others impacted by this unexpected loss. A GoFundMe campaign has been established by the society to gather funds for funeral expenses and to facilitate the travel of family members from India for the last rites, as reported by TOI.
The campaign achieved remarkable success, exceeding its $50,000 target within a mere 10 hours, and as of Friday morning, it has amassed nearly $188,975. The inquiry surrounding Kaur’s death continues, engaging the police, the provincial Labour Department, and the medical examiner’s office.
The store has been shut down following the emergence of news regarding Gursimran Kaur, as reported by Global News. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the young woman’s death, urging the public to refrain from sharing unverified information, particularly on social media, as the case attracts significant national and international interest.
The labour department of the province has announced a halt to operations at the bakery and has also targeted “one piece of equipment” at the Walmart store. Walk-in ovens, commonly utilized in high-capacity bakeries like those in supermarkets and big-box stores, facilitate the processes of curing, drying, or baking in batches with the aid of wheeled racks or carts.
Walmart Canada has conveyed their deep sorrow regarding the incident and has referred all additional inquiries to law enforcement. The organization is providing round-the-clock virtual care and grief counseling for its employees, and it has assured that staff will receive their wages for shifts even while the store remains closed. Should the store stay closed for a prolonged duration, the company will explore “alternate work arrangements” for its staff.
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