By Swastika Sahu
Renowned singer and Assamese cultural figure Zubeen Garg has died following a tragic scuba-diving accident in Singapore on Friday. He was 52, the local authorities are said to have rescued him from the sea and swiftly taken him to a hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU. Despite the doctor’s efforts, they were unable to revive him.
He was quickly taken to Singapore General Hospital, but had already passed away before arrival. Crew members tried CPR on site, but their attempts were unsuccessful. At 5:14 pm Singapore time, hospital doctors pronounced him dead. “His remains will now be taken for an autopsy,” stated NDTV’s sources.
He was brought to a hospital but reportedly had a heart attack and died. As per the US National Institute of Health (NIH), scuba diving can trigger heart attacks in individuals who have pre-existing heart conditions. The causes of these phenomena are heightened pressure from being below water and physical activity
The announcement of Zubeen’s unexpected passing has sparked a wave of sorrow and sympathies from Assam, the Northeast, and nationwide.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Assam Chief Minister, posted on X that he was working with the High Commission in Singapore to facilitate the return of Zubeen Garg’s body to the country.
“ I keep in constant contact with the High Commissioner of India, his Excellency Dr. Shilpak Ambule”. We are collaborating to ensure that beloved Zubeen’s body is returned to Assam promptly. “After the process is complete, I will give an update”, stated Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed sorrow over Garg’s passing, calling it a “horrific tragedy.”
The death of Zubeen Garg is a great loss. “His voice characterized an era, and his abilities were genuinely unparalleled,” Mr. Gandhi stated in a message on ‘X’.
Expressing condolences for Zubeen Garg’s passing, PM Narendra Modi stated on X in Assamese and English, “Stunned by the unexpected loss of renowned singer Zubeen Garg.” His significant contribution to music will be remembered. His performances were widely favored by individuals from various backgrounds. Sympathies to his loved ones and supporters. “Peaceful Om.”
Frequently known as Assam’s voice, Zubeen Garg was not only a singer. He gained national fame with his moving song, ‘Ya Ali’s from the film ‘Gangster’, which became a sensation across India. Additional Bollywood tracks of his include, ‘Dil Tu Hi Bata’ from ‘ Krrish 3’ and ‘Jaane kya Chahe Man’ from ‘Pyar ke Side Effects’. In addition to Hindi, he acted in Assamese, Bengali, Nepali and various other regional languages, nurturing a loyal following among diverse viewers.
Zubeen made significant contributions to the Assamese, Bengali, Hindi film & music industries while also performing in various other languages.
In addition to his musical legacy, Zubeen Garg accumulated considerable wealth throughout his lengthy career. As reported by Pratidin Time, his net worth in 2024 is estimated to be about $8 million (around ₹70 crore), based on information from The Times of India.