Canadian officials have revealed they have confirmed the identities of four Indians whose frozen bodies were recently discovered in Manitoba near the Canada-United States border.
The High Commission of India in Canada recently released a statement that the four who died were 39-year-old Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, 37-year-old Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, 11-year-old Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel and 3-year-old Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel.
The High Commission said the family’s immediate relatives had been informed and highlighted the need “to ensure that migration and mobility are made safe and legal and that such tragedies do not recur.”
Investigators made it known the family of four attempted to cross over the border by foot on January 19 during the highly severe winter weather and died as a result of the exposure.
Officials disclosed they were separated from the group of 18 people and were likely caught in a blizzard that resulted in a tragedy that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described as “mind-blowing”.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) disclosed that they believe the family got to Toronto on January 12 and later travelled to Emerson, Manitoba, around January 18.
Rob Hill, a Criminal Operations Officer, said no vehicle was left near the border, which suggest someone dropped them off and left.
A special team which is led by a Senior Consular Officer from the Consulate General of India has arrived in Manitoba to help with investigations on the Canadian side and to provide services for the victims.
The RCMP in Manitoba said the four bodies were found near Emerson after the US border patrol agents advised them that a group of Indian nationals had been picked by them on the US side.
