Ottawa Canada January 28, ANI The four people found dead near the Canada-US border last week have been identified as Indian nationals, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said on Thursday that this tragedy has brought into focus the need to make migration and mobility safe and legal.
The high commission said Canadian authorities, through a medical examination, have determined all deaths to be consistent with exposure to outdoor elements.
The identities of the deceased were confirmed by the Canadian authorities as Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, male, 39 years, Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, female, 37 years, Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel, female, 11 years and Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel, male, 3 years.
On January 19th, Canadian authorities found bodies of four people who had froze to death while trying to cross the Canada-US border in Emerson, Manitoba, near the Canada US border. All four were from the same family.
RCMP Chief Supt, speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, said he was with Manitoba RCMP Chief Supt. We apologize for that error, but please understand that the freezing state in which the bodies were found and the clothing worn by the family made the initial confirmation difficult. The process to confirm the names took an extended period of time, Hill said.
There was a case of human smuggling and local authorities would like to speak to anyone who may have seen or helped the family while they were in Canada, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation CBC reported.
It's important for anyone who has ever had interaction with the Patel family or has information about their journey to the border to think about what they went through and step forward, Hill said.
In a press statement, the Indian High Commission said a special team led by an officer from the Consulate General of India in Toronto is currently in Manitoba helping with the investigation.
People-to-people relationships are an important pillar of India-Canada bilateral relations. Canada is a preferred destination for Indian immigrants and students. India and Canada work together to ensure the safety and well-being of all Indian immigrants in Canada. The high commission said it was important to make sure that migration and mobility are safe and legal, and that both India and Canada have a regular dialogue on migration and welfare issues.