In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Rupak Singh, a young man from Sirsa, Haryana, in India, has tragically passed away in Canada. As the only son of his parents, his untimely death has left his family and friends in profound grief.
Karandeep Singh, Rupak’s cousin, has stepped forward to address the community, expressing the family’s deep sorrow and the urgent need to bring Rupak’s remains back to India for the final rites.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Karandeep stated,
“I am urgently requesting your help to repatriate Rupak’s remains. Any donation will significantly ease this burden for his grieving family.”
The friend’s plea has resonated across various platforms. On Instagram and TikTok, the account ‘punjabivlogger’ shared a reel amplifying the call for assistance, urging followers to support the cause.
A video on TikTok indicates that Rupak, who came to study in 2022, allegedly succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning while speaking to his parents on the phone from his garage. While talking, he had turned on his car to stay warm due to the cold conditions outside. Tragically, it is believed that the enclosed space allowed the toxic fumes to accumulate, leading to fatal consequences.
The process of repatriation involves significant expenses, including mortuary services, international transportation, and legal documentation. To alleviate this financial burden, the family has initiated a fundraising campaign and is appealing to the community for support.
The community has shown immense support, raising $35,991 CAD ($39,623 AUD)—far exceeding the $18,000 goal ($19,815 AUD)—with 991 donations and widespread sharing of the fundraiser. The family remains hopeful that, with collective support, they will be able to bring Rupak home and perform the necessary rites to honour his memory.
This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, which has claimed the lives of other Indian international students in Canada. In a similar case in 2023, a 25-year-old Indian student in Ontario lost his life after a car was left running in a garage, leading to dangerously high CO levels. Emergency responders found multiple individuals suffering from poisoning, with one fatality. Authorities have since emphasised the importance of carbon monoxide detectors, as the Ontario home lacked functioning alarms despite legal requirements.
As per the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, more than 172 Indian students have died in Canada over the past five years for various reasons. Statistics show that between 2019 and July 2024, Canada recorded the highest number of Indian student deaths worldwide.
The causes of these deaths have primarily been attributed to natural causes, accidents, and medical conditions, while nine fatalities have been classified as the result of attacks.
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