New Delhi: Mystery over the death of Gursimran Kaur, Indian origin woman who was charred to death inside a walk-in-oven at a Walmart store in Canada, continues as other employees who worked at the place claim that there is no way a person can lock himself from inside the oven unless pushed into.
A TikTok user and employee at a Walmart store has demonstrated how the walk-in-ovens works. She claimed that it’s very hard for a person to lock him or her inside an oven as it’s operated from outside and is very difficult to lock.
The employee further added that the door of the walk-in oven is very heavy and not easy to lock as one would have to push the latch with all force, pull the handle to the side and lock it in place.
“I don’t even know if I would fit in here. I’m 5 foot 1, medium built. I would have to crouch down to get in,” she explained, adding that no employee was required to enter the oven even to clean it,” she said.
What was Gursimran Kaur?
A 19-year-old Sikh woman was found dead inside a walk-in oven of the Walmart store’s bakery department in Canada’s Halifax city, according to media reports.
Halifax Regional Police (HRP) said they were called to a sudden death at the Walmart at 6990 Mumford Road around 9:30 pm on Saturday (last week). According to police, the woman, who has not been identified, was employed at the store. Her body was found in a walk-in oven, police said.
The Maritime Sikh Society confirmed to CTV News that she 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, with the Maritime Sikh Society.
She had recently moved to Canada from India, The Globe and Mail newspaper said. The store has remained closed since Saturday night while the investigation is ongoing. HRP Constable Martin Cromwell said police were aware of online speculation about the woman’s cause of death.
“The investigation is complex,” said Cromwell.
“We understand the public is involved, and we just wanted to encourage the public to be patient with our investigation and be mindful that there are family members and coworkers involved.” Cromwell said Halifax police were coordinating with the appropriate agencies to help with the investigation.
“We urge the public to be mindful of sharing speculative information on social media,” HRP said in a statement on Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for the province’s labour department said a stop-work order has been issued for the bakery and “one piece of equipment” at the Walmart store.
“It is important to note that the investigation has not yet reached a point where the cause and manner of death have been confirmed,” HRP said.
Nova Scotia’s medical examiner is working to determine the cause of death, and the province’s Department of Health and Safety is taking part in the investigation.
Walk-in ovens, also referred to as cabinet or batch ovens, allow for curing, drying or baking in batches using wheeled racks or carts. They are often found in large-volume bakeries in places such as supermarkets.
In a statement, Walmart Canada said the company is heartbroken and their thoughts are with the woman’s family.
With inputs from PTI
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