Tragedy struck at a Walmart store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where 19-year-old Gursimran Kaur, originally from India, was found dead inside the store's bakery walk-in oven. The incident, which has left the community and Kaur's family devastated, unfolded amid horrific circumstances.
On October 19, police responded to reports about Kaur’s death around 9:30 p.m. on Mumford Road. According to sources, Kaur’s charred remains were discovered by her mother, who had been frantically searching for her daughter, believing she might have been busy helping customers.
The investigation has prompted involvement from multiple agencies, including the Halifax Regional Police and Canada’s Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. So far, emergency audio recordings revealed chaotic communication during the response. A dispatcher alerted colleagues about the unusual situation, stating, “Oven is on, unsure if the staff are able to turn it off,” and continued with concerns about the trapped individual.
Walmart released statements expressing condolences. Amanda Moss, the spokesperson for the retail giant, emphasized the tragedy of the situation, saying, “Our deepest thoughts are with our associate and their family.” Following the discovery, the store was immediately closed and is yet to reopen.
Details just emerged indicating the problematic walk-in oven which led to Gursimran’s tragic death was supposed to be removed prior to the incident. Moss confirmed, “This is an extremely sad and difficult situation,” referring to plans already laid out for the oven's removal as part of Walmart's standard remodel program across Canada.
The store has been under scrutiny, particularly because the Nova Scotia Department of Labour had issued a stop-work order soon after Kaur's death, which lasted until October when compliance with safety regulations was confirmed.
According to reports from India-based media, Kaur had been living and working at the Walmart for two years alongside her mother, who also found the horrific scene of her daughter's death. The news has sparked widespread outrage, particularly within the local Indian community and beyond, leading to the establishment of a GoFundMe page to support Kaur’s family. So far, the fundraiser has successfully raised over CAD 194,000.
Witness accounts and commemoration efforts have underscored the loss felt around the community. Kaur had reportedly moved to Canada about three years ago with her family, seeking opportunities and hoping for a brighter future. The tragedy of her untimely death has heightened concerns about workplace safety across industries, especially within large retail chains.
Meanwhile, local authorities continue to piece together the events leading to Kaur’s tragic demise, as community leaders are calling for greater calls for accountability and reform within workplace safety standards.
