AHMEDABAD: India woke up on Saturday to the news of a family of four, possibly from Gujarat, freezing to death in -35°C temperature near the Canada-US border. The victims are a couple, a 12-year-old girl, and a 3-year-old boy. The deaths came to light when a larger group — believed to be consisting of Gujaratis — was apprehended by a border patrol on the American side.
After the news broke on international wires late on Friday, Gujarat authorities started searching for the family’s roots in the state. While no official word was out till Saturday evening, sources aware of developments said the family is thought to be from a village near Kalol in Gandhinagar.Sources said that the deceased man’s parents still live in the village. The person was earlier in a private job and later took to the readymade garment business. However, none of the details could be confirmed through local officials.
The people of the village in question said that a team of police had paid a visit. But, the people said, they are yet to know the details of the investigation. “We are keeping updated through news outlets in the US and Canada,” said a local resident. “Those who have been apprehended may be able to give some details.” The resident added that over the past few years, there has been a steady stream of villagers aspiring to settle in the US and surviving with the help of the larger community on the foreign shores.
Meanwhile, the Gujarati community in Canada was in shock. Community leaders said that due to stringent local laws, the identities of the deceased are not known yet, but they are believed to be Patels from north Gujarat.
“It is possible that the group came to Canada on visitors’ visas and might have planned illegal entry into the US,” said a community member. “The details emerging at the moment indicate that there were more families and 2-3 students in the larger group that had started off from Canada.” The member added: “We have offered our services to the consulate to perform the last rites and to send the mortal remains to their native place.”
The extreme weather is unforgiving even for the locals who seldom venture out in these conditions. “But those managing the crossing might have thought it the perfect time for the passage to the US,” said another member of the Gujarati Canadian community. “Illegal crossings are common in summer, but this was suicidal. If the details are true, apart from the four deaths, a few members who have been caught needed amputation due to severe frost bite.”
The horror tales emerged from the investigation of the border forces who learnt that the larger group was walking for about 11 hours in -35°C. A storm set the four apart from the rest of the group. They were expected to be picked up near the border. The bodies were found just metres from the US border.
