A 19-year-old Sikh woman was tragically found dead inside a walk-in oven in the bakery department of a Walmart store in Halifax, Canada. Halifax Regional Police (HRP) responded to a sudden death call at the Walmart location on Mumford Road around 9:30 pm (local time) on Saturday. The woman, whose identity has not been released, was an employee at the store, according to police.
The Maritime Sikh Society confirmed the victim was a member of their community."It's very sad for us, for her family as well, because she came for a better future and she lost her life," said Anmolpreet Singh from the society. The woman had recently moved to Canada from India in pursuit of better opportunities, the Globe and Mail reported.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause or manner of death. HRP Constable Martin Cromwell acknowledged the complex nature of the investigation and urged the public to remain patient while being mindful of the victim’s family and coworkers. Halifax police are working closely with other agencies, including Nova Scotia's medical examiner and the province's Department of Health and Safety, to determine what led to the tragedy.
The store has been closed since Saturday night, and a stop-work order has been issued for the bakery and a piece of equipment involved in the incident. HRP cautioned against the spread of unverified information on social media as investigations continue.
Walmart Canada expressed its sorrow, saying in a statement, "We are heartbroken, and our thoughts are with the woman's family."
The investigation is ongoing, and the community awaits further details.