A 23-year-old Indian student was stabbed by an unidentified man near York University's campus in Toronto, Canada, police said.
The student was walking along a pathway near the university's campus, when an Asian man in his mid-20s attacked her on Wednesday night, knocked her to the ground, and dragged her a short distance, they said.
The victim sustained stab wounds to her neck during the assault, Toronto's local news channel CP24 quoted police as saying.
The student was rushed to a hospital where she underwent surgery overnight, the channel said, adding that her condition remains critical.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has expressed shock over the incident and offered immediate help to the family.
"Deeply shocked to learn of the serious attack on Rachel Albert, an Indian student in Toronto, Canada. Am asking MEA officials to help with her family's visa. Family members may immediately contact us on +91 9873983884," Jaishankar tweeted.
@DrSJaishankar :-
— Ronald (@ronaldchennai) January 24, 2020
Good morning, my nice Rachel (Tamilian) who have gone to Canada for studies was stabbed and hospitalised ... Please do help her. Here is the news on the incident by local channel. Her parents are here at TN Coonoor.
9626262736(Albert)https://t.co/7wCqLuC4XF
Replying to Ronald, the minister tweeted: “Deeply shocked to learn of the serious attack on Rachel Albert, an Indian student in Toronto, Canada. Am asking MEA officials to help with her family’s visa. Family members may immediately contact us on +91 9873983884.”
Rachael’s father Albert Rajkumar said his daughter is fine but not completely out of danger.
Rajkumar said going by the Toronto police’s description, the suspect could be Indian.
“The police have almost confirmed who is the culprit. They have identified him as a brownish-colored man with black hair, he looks like an Indian. We have sent his [the man they suspect] photo to the Canadian cops,” he said.
Toronto police have described the attacker as an Asian male in his mid-20s. The suspect has black hair, and was wearing "stylish" glasses and a black puffy jacket at the time of the attack, police said.
"We have information that he had fled the scene on foot," police officer Alex Li said. "Our officers continue to search for the suspect."
STABBING: (UPDATE)
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) January 23, 2020
Assiniboine Rd & Evelyn Wiggins Dr
- officers still searching the area for the suspect
- officers are canvassing for witnesses
- any video, security footage, dash cam pls contact police
- any info pls call 4168082222/8083100#GO152999
^al