Three Punjabi-origin youths killed after car crashes into restaurant on Diwali night in New Zealand
The car reportedly lost control at a roundabout, went off the road, broke through a fence and crashed into the restaurant.
PTC News Desk: Three Punjabi-origin youths were killed as the car they were travelling in crashed into a BurgerFuel restaurant in Takanini, South Auckland, on Diwali night.
A car crashed into a McDonald's restaurant on Great South Road in New Zealand around 10.15 pm on Sunday, November 8, killing all three people travelling in the vehicle.
The car reportedly lost control at a roundabout, went off the road, broke through a fence and crashed into the restaurant.
Police in Takanini said all three occupants of the car died at the scene. No one inside the restaurant was injured. On Tuesday, Daljit Singh, president of the Central Sikh Association and Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand, confirmed that all three victims were youths of Punjabi origin.
Their names and ages have not been released as the investigation is still underway. Singh described the incident as deeply tragic for the Punjabi community, especially as it happened on Diwali night.
“We cannot share their details or any other information yet,” he said in a social media post.
Singh said the families wanted the bodies to be sent back to India. Community representatives were in touch with them to help make the arrangements. He said all three bodies would be repatriated to India according to the families' wishes. He also offered condolences to the bereaved families.
Singh added that the community would be asked to provide financial or other assistance as the police investigation progressed.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Police's Serious Crash Unit is investigating the accident.
Police said they had received no complaints about the vehicle's driving before the crash. The car had not been reported stolen, and police were not chasing it when the accident happened.
The restaurant was closed to customers at the time, but some employees were inside. A company spokesperson confirmed that no staff members were injured and said the company was working with the franchise owner and employees to provide support.
The crash caused extensive damage to the restaurant.