Canada/Chandigarh, 23 October, 2024: A 19-year-old Sikh girl was discovered dead inside a walk-in oven in the bakery department of a Walmart store in Halifax, Canada, according to media reports. The Halifax Regional Police (HRP) received a call regarding a sudden death at the Walmart located at 6990 Mumford Road around 9:30 PM on Saturday.
The police confirmed that the woman, who has not yet been publicly identified, was an employee at the store. The Maritime Sikh Society has identified her as a member of their community and noted that she had recently immigrated to Canada from India. “We are mourning the loss of a young life in our community,” a representative from the society told CTV News.
The store has remained closed since Saturday night as the investigation continues. HRP Constable Martin Cromwell acknowledged the online speculation surrounding the circumstances of the woman’s death, stating, “The investigation is complex. We understand the public’s interest and encourage patience while we consider the well-being of family members and coworkers.”
Halifax police are collaborating with relevant agencies in the investigation, and they urged the public to refrain from sharing speculative information on social media. “It is important to respect the process and the people involved,” Cromwell emphasized. In a statement released on Tuesday, HRP reiterated the call for mindfulness regarding speculative information.
In response to the incident, a spokeswoman for the province’s labour department confirmed that a stop-work order has been issued for the bakery and a specific piece of equipment at the Walmart store. “The investigation has not yet reached a point where the cause and manner of death have been confirmed,” HRP added.
Nova Scotia’s medical examiner is currently working to determine the cause of death, with the province’s Department of Health and Safety also participating in the investigation. Walk-in ovens, often referred to as cabinet or batch ovens, are used for curing, drying, or baking in batches and are typically found in large-volume bakeries like supermarkets.
Walmart Canada expressed its condolences in a statement, saying, “We are heartbroken and our thoughts are with the woman’s family during this difficult time.”
(With PTI Inputs)
