National

5 Indian students dead in Canada highway accident

Darpan News Desk IANS, 14 Mar, 2022 02:07 PM

Toronto, March 14 (IANS) Five Indian students in Canada have been killed in a highway collision in Canada's Ontario province.

The five were killed when their van collided with a tractor-trailer on Canada's Highway 401 between Belleville and Trenton early Saturday morning.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have identified them as Jaspinder Singh, 21, Karanpal Singh, 22, Mohit Chouhan, 23, Pawan Kumar, 23, and Harpreet Singh, 24. They were pronounced dead on the scene.

Ajay Bisara, High Commissioner of India to Canada, offered expressed his grief and sorrow regarding the tragedy in a Twitter Post.

Heart-breaking tragedy in Canada: 5 Indians students passed away in an auto accident near Toronto on Saturday. Two others in hospital. Deepest condolences to the families of the victims. @IndiainToronto team in touch with friends of the victims for assistance. @MEAIndia
— Ajay Bisaria (@Ajaybis) March 14, 2022

Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, also expressed shock and offered his condolences via a social media post.

Deeply mourn the passing away of 5 Indian students in Canada. Condolences to their families. Pray for the recovery of those injured. @IndiainToronto will provide all necessary support and assistance. https://t.co/MAkMz0uwJ7
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 14, 2022

The victims were students in colleges in Montreal and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Two other students who were with them were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

OPP Constable Maggie Pickett said: "It's a tragedy. Nobody wants to respond to that call for service, but we're there, we're working."

There are over 200,000 Indian students currently studying in colleges in Canada.

Photo courtesy of CP24.com

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Immunity against Omicron still unknown: experts

Experts and global health leaders say it's still too soon to tell whether the Omicron variant will significantly threaten immunity gained from current COVID-19 vaccines as calls grow in some corners for expanded booster shots.

Immunity against Omicron still unknown: experts

B.C. giving $1 million to wildfire-ravaged Lytton

The British Columbia government says it is immediately providing a grant of $1 million to support the Village of Lytton as it recovers from a destructive wildfire last summer. The fast-moving fire razed much of the Fraser Canyon community on June 30, just one day after the temperature there hit an all-time Canadian high of 49.6 Celsius.

B.C. giving $1 million to wildfire-ravaged Lytton

379 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

There are 2,874 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 215,884 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 224 individuals are currently in hospital and 77 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

379 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

Advocate says seniors abuse falls through 'cracks'

British Columbia's seniors advocate is calling for a provincewide approach for reporting seniors abuse amid complaints that are "significantly rising." Isobel Mackenzie says there is a clear five-year pattern of increasing reports of seniors abuse and neglect, but the fragmented reporting system suggests the problem could be more widespread.

Advocate says seniors abuse falls through 'cracks'

Canadian officials to boycott Olympics: Trudeau

Canada will join a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing next year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday. The decision comes two days after the United States announced it would send government officials to the Olympics over concerns about China's human rights record.

Canadian officials to boycott Olympics: Trudeau

Afghan refugee exodus may take two years: minister

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says the government predicts it could take two years to fulfil its promise of bringing 40,000 Afghan refugees to Canada. The minister said the government is facing challenges in Afghanistan and other countries where refugees have fled but is trying to get them to Canada urgently.