New York, Jan 21 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday expressed grief after a family of four Indian nationals died of cold at the US-Canada border and directed the Indian ambassadors to the US and Canada to take immediate action on the situation. Authorities believe that the family was hit by this cold when it made an unsuccessful attempt to pass through a blizzard.
The Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said Thursday that four bodies were found on the Canadian side of the Canada-U.S. border near Emerson on Wednesday, two of an adult, a teenager and a newborn.
Jaishankar tweeted, “Shocked to learn that 4 Indian nationals including an infant have lost their lives at the Canada-US border. We have asked our ambassadors in the US and Canada to take immediate action on the situation.
US Border Patrol (USBP) officers in North Dakota intercepted a 15-passenger van south of the Canadian border on Wednesday, according to court documents.
The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota issued a release late Thursday and said the driver, identified as Steve Shand, 47, of Florida, has been arrested for human trafficking in connection with the incident.
The Justice Department said law enforcement officials also learned that the two Indian nationals were undocumented.
Court documents said law enforcement found plastic cups, bottled water, bottled juices and other food items from the rear of the passenger van.
The law enforcement agency also found receipts for beverages and food items dated January 18, 2022, and rental agreement receipts for the van in Shand’s name, with return dates listed as January 20, 2022.
.