Zubeen Garg dies in Singapore after sea outing, investigations ongoing

Renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, 52, died on September 19 in Singapore after a medical emergency during a sea outing, authorities and family members said, prompting the cancellation of the North East India Festival and days of state mourning in Assam. The circumstances of his death remain under investigation and accounts diverge on exactly what occurred while he was abroad to perform the festival.

Singapore police and festival organisers said Garg was pulled from the water, rushed to Singapore General Hospital and later pronounced dead. The event management team said they were informed by the singer's own manager that he had met with an accident after a local yacht visit of which they said they had no prior knowledge. Festival organisers announced the event would be cancelled as a mark of respect.

Initial reports described the incident as a scuba diving accident. Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and several other media accounts said he suffered a suspected seizure while swimming at Lazarus Island after going into the water a second time. She told reporters that all companions initially wore life jackets but that Garg went to swim again without one and lost consciousness....