A tragic incident has unfolded in Canada involving 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur, an Indian girl who was found dead inside a walk-in oven at a Walmart bakery. Kaur, who had moved to Canada from the UK with her mother three years ago, was discovered in the bakery section of the store by her mother while it was still open for business. This horrific discovery occurred after her mother had been searching for her daughter for about an hour, growing concerned when Gursimran was not seen for some time. In her attempts to locate her, the mother asked other employees about Gursimran’s whereabouts, but many brushed off her concerns, assuming that she was attending to a customer in the busy superstore. Additionally, Gursimran’s phone was unreachable during this period, adding to the mother’s anxiety.
In the wake of this tragedy, communities in Canada are rallying support for Gursimran’s family. Her father and brother remain in India, and efforts are underway to facilitate their travel to Canada for the funeral and final rites. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the grieving family during this devastating time. The campaign has seen tremendous support, raising nearly $188,975 as of Friday morning, far exceeding its initial goal of $50,000 in just 10 hours. The Maritime Sikh Society is actively involved, providing psychological counselling to those affected by the incident and helping cover funeral expenses.
The investigation into Kaur’s death is ongoing and involves multiple agencies, including local police, the province’s Labour Department, and the medical examiner’s office. Emergency responders were called to the Walmart store around 9:30 PM on a Saturday after receiving reports of a “sudden death.” Since that time, the store has remained closed, and authorities are working diligently to ascertain the cause and manner of Kaur’s tragic death. They have issued warnings to the public to avoid spreading unverified information, especially on social media, as the story gains traction both nationally and globally.
In light of the investigation, the province’s Labour Department has issued a stop-work order for the bakery area as well as one piece of equipment at the Walmart location. Walk-in ovens, which are commonly used in large-volume bakeries for various cooking and baking tasks, are now under scrutiny due to this incident. Walmart Canada has publicly expressed its heartbreak over the tragic event and has referred all inquiries from the media to the police for further comment.
The company has also taken steps to support its employees, offering 24/7 virtual care and grief counselling, while ensuring that staff will continue to receive payment for their scheduled shifts during the store’s closure. However, Walmart has indicated that if the closure extends for an extended period, they will consider alternative work arrangements for their employees.
The community’s response to this incident underscores the profound impact Gursimran’s death has had on both residents and online supporters. As the investigation continues, the family and community seek answers and support in the face of this unimaginable tragedy.