Chef from Pithoragarh drowns in South Africa, family seeks MEA help to bring body back

PITHORAGARH: The family of a 27-year-old man working as a chef at a hotel in

South Africa

who died after being drowned while out swimming on April 29, has approached external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj for help in getting his body back. Pradeep Singh Karki, who hails from Pakhu village of Berinag block of

Pithoragarh

had been working in South Africa since the past one year. His friend Pradeep Rawat, told TOI that the family was informed a few days back that Karki had gone for a swim in the ocean near his hotel and had drowned.

“We were told by

Mantu Das

, owner of the

Le Relax hotel

, where Pradeep worked, that on April 29, which was his day off, Pradeep went with his friends for a swim but got trapped in the ocean’s waves and was drowned. He told us that his body had been kept in the morgue, and to bring it back to India, a lot of paperwork would be required,” Rawat said.

Sher Singh Karki, the victim’s father, who is a farmer, said that the family did not have enough resources to bring Pradeep’s body back home. “We are completely shattered by the news of Pradeep’s death. It was only last year that he went to South Africa after working for 5 years in hotels in Gujarat. Where will we get the money to bring his remains back?”

On Thursday, Pradeep’s uncle

Umrao Singh

met Union minister of state for textiles and Almora MP Ajay Tamta in Delhi and apprised him of the matter. “Tamtaji went and met external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and requested her to intervene in the matter. We are hopeful that the minister will help bring back Pradeep’s body home,” Rawat said.