The Indian community in Canada is mourning the death of Tanya Tyagi, an Indian student at the University of Calgary. The Consulate General of India in Vancouver confirmed the news on Thursday, June 19, 2025, expressing their condolences and offering assistance to the bereaved family. The circumstances surrounding her death are currently unclear, and authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the cause.
"We are saddened by the sudden demise of Ms. Tanya Tyagi, an Indian student at University of Calgary," the Consulate stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "The Consulate is in touch with the authorities and will provide all required assistance to the bereaved family. Our heartfelt condolences & prayers are with her family and friends."
While official details are awaited, an unverified social media post has claimed that Tanya Tyagi may have died due to a heart attack on June 17. The post also appealed to the Prime Minister's Office of India for assistance in repatriating her body back to India, mentioning that she was a resident of Vijay Park, Northeast Delhi.
Tanya Tyagi's sudden death has sparked grief and concern, especially among the Indian student community in Canada. This tragedy comes amid increasing concerns about the safety and well-being of Indian students abroad. Several incidents involving Indian students in Canada have raised alarms in recent months.
In December 2024, Gurasis Singh, a 22-year-old postgraduate student from Punjab, was fatally stabbed in Ontario. Around the same time, Harshandeep Singh, a 20-year-old student, was shot and killed in Edmonton. Rittika Rajput lost her life in an accident in British Columbia. More recently, in April 2025, Vanshika, another Indian student who had been missing for four days, was found dead in Ottawa. In the same month, Harsimrat Randhawa, a 21-year-old Indian student, was killed by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop in Hamilton, Ontario.
These incidents have fueled anxieties within the Indian community in Canada, which numbers over 1.3 million, and have prompted calls for enhanced safety measures and support systems for international students. The Indian government has also been actively monitoring these incidents and maintaining communication with students to inform them about safety measures, especially in potentially dangerous areas.
The Ministry of External Affairs has reported that, in the past five years, at least 633 Indian students have died abroad, with Canada recording the highest number of deaths (172), followed by the United States (108). The causes of death vary, including natural causes, accidents, medical conditions, and attacks.
As the investigation into Tanya Tyagi's death continues, her passing serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by Indian students pursuing education abroad. The Indian diaspora is increasingly urging for stronger safety measures, quicker consular responses, and comprehensive support for grieving families during such difficult times.
