Halifax, Nova Scotia police are investigating the death of a 19-year-old woman who tragically was found inside a walk-in oven at the Walmart bakery on Saturday night. It happened at the Mumford Road location around 9:30 p.m. when police received a report of a sudden death on the premises. Emergency responders were called, and upon arrival, confirmed the death of the young woman, a store employee, who had been found unresponsive inside the oven.
The investigation is headed by Halifax Regional Police who are working in cooperation with Nova Scotia Medical Examiner and Occupational Health and Safety authorities in the case for determining the cause and manner of death. The authorities do yet know whether the incident entailed any criminal elements, and police have appealed to the public for patience while stating that the case is complex and evidence needs to be preserved.
The incident has shocked me and I am now in deep grief,” said Basant Singh Chatha, President of the Maritime Sikh Society in Halifax. Contacted by the media after the tragic incident, the Society stated that this young woman and her mother arrived in Canada a few months ago from India, holding all hopes to brighten up their future. “It is a tragic event for our community, said Balbir Singh, Spokesman for the Society. “We hope that soon investigation will reveal what happened to this young woman.”.
As for the response, Walmart Canada closed the store and is offering support to its workers. “We are devastated and our hearts go out to the associate’s family. Our associates are already receiving grief counseling and virtual care,” said a spokesperson from Walmart while confirming that its staff members are already getting grief counseling as well as virtual care.
Even the Department of Labour has issued a stop-work order for the bakery pending further inspection. In its response, the Halifax police indicate that they will come up with information as they gather more about this sad incident.
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