Hyderabad youth falls to death from 27th floor of his residence in Canada

Hyderabad: A 19-year-old student from Vanasthalipuram fell to his death from the 27th floor of his residence in Toronto, Canada, after he slipped while talking on the phone in his balcony on November 8. He had returned to Canada last month to continue his hotel management course.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, his family members said that Panyam Akhil has been pursuing the course in Canada for one and a half years. He had returned home in March after the Covid-19 outbreak and had left in October.

Akhil’s friends in Toronto informed his parents about his death. He had spoken to his parents a day before the incident, said Babji, Akhil’s uncle. The details of who Akhil was talking to when he slipped was not known, he said.

The Crescent Town Community in Ontario, where Akhil was residing, has marked off the area and placed flowers, candles, and a Bristol board reading his name. “The area is roped off so the brother may get the respect he deserves,” said his friends on a social media post.

Local police said it would take 10 days to release Akhil’s body to his family in India. “Everyday must be heartbreaking for them. The Toronto Police Service and Indian embassy should try their best to expedite the process,” his friends in Canada said and offered to help out.

Akhil’s family has appealed to minister K.T. Rama Rao to help in bringing the body to Hyderabad. Babji had sent a Tweet tagging Rama Rao for helpm saying, “We are clueless how to go about bringing the body to Hyderabad. Request help in bringing the body to Hyderabad. Kindly help us in this moment of grief, sir (sic),” Babji wrote.

The minister assured help. “Sorry for your loss brother, Will do our best,” he wrote.

The Indian Consulate General in Toronto has informed the student’s family that all efforts were being made to expedite the process. “The Indian Consulate in Toronto is in touch with all concerned and efforts are on for the expeditious return of mortal remains,” tweeted the consulate general.

“We are waiting for the body to reach here. The consulate has assured us that the process is up to speed to facilitate the travel,” added Babji.

A GoFundme page set up by Indian in Ontario has collected $15,194 as of Tuesday night to pay to transport Akhil’s body home.

“Akhil died of a tragic death, his family is yearning to see him one last time. An autopsy should not take longer than 48 hours under such circumstances. Tag Toronto Police Service and call 55 division (416-808-5500) to ask that Akhil’s body be returned to his home country ASAP. Our beloved Akhil was a wonderful brother, son, and friend who touched the lives of those around him. He was an aspiring chef and was working on a culinary degree in Toronto, Canada. He was always full of life, kind, loved by all, and mature for his age. He was tenacious in his ventures and brought an undeniably fun and engaging energy to everything he did.” says the site.