The Ethiopian community is offering their support to a family following the tragic death of their two-year-old daughter.
New Westminster police are investigating after they were called to the 300-block of Stanley Street for a suspected drowning on Wednesday night at 11 p.m.
Officers are still in the early stages of the investigation but say the two-year-old girl, who Global News has confirmed as Biftu Taju, was rushed to a local hospital and sadly succumbed to her injuries.
Amin Jundi, who is with the Oromo community, called Biftu’s death a tragedy. Biftu was one of six children in the family.
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“This is the first time it’s happened in our community and we have a very small community… very tight together,” Jundi said.
Jundi said the Oromo community helps new immigrants to Canada adapt to society and culture. Oromo people are an ethnic group from Ethiopia as well as northern Kenya and Somalia.
“We are all here and trying to support them and offer them comfort,” Jundi said. “We are all behind them.”
One of the father’s friends said the family has been in Canada for almost a decade.
“We’ve given the family all the support that we have available to help manage this tragic time in their life,” said media relations officer Sgt. Jeff Scott.
“Our Major Crime Unit is currently investigating with the BC Coroner Service to determine the cause of death, and at this point foul play is not suspected.”
“This tragedy affects us all, and our thoughts go out to the family.”
No further details are being released by police at this time.
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