Indian family with baby freezes to death near US-Canada border

In a tragic incident, an Indian family of four reportedly froze to death while allegedly trying to illegally cross the US-Canada border. Bodies of 4 people - two adults, a baby, and a teenager - were found near Emerson in Canada.

US officials reportedly said that the family was Indian, and they were probably trying to enter America illegally with the help of a smuggling ring. The victims might have been part of a group. Some of its members reportedly were able to cross the border, but were apprehended by US officials.

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Jane MacLatchy, assistant commissioner, Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police said, "We are very concerned that this attempted crossing may have been facilitated in some way, and that these individuals, including an infant, were left on their own in the middle of a blizzard when the weather hovered around minus 35 degrees Celsius, factoring the wind. These victims faced not only the cold weather but also endless fields, large snowdrifts and complete darkness. We don't know how these individuals got to Emerson, but our investigators are certainly going to look into every aspect of their deaths."

Reacting to the news, India's external affairs minister asked US and Canadian ambassadors to urgently respond to the situation. Indian High Commissioner to Canada Ajay Bisaria said that a team had been dispatched to Manitoba to help with the case. India's ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that his office is in touch with US authorities.

American authorities reportedly arrested 47-year-old Steve Shand of Florida in connection with the case.