Yacht Crew, Friends urged Zubeen Garg to wear Life Jacket!

The sudden demise of Assam’s cherished musical icon, Zubeen Garg, during a yacht outing in Singapore has left the Assamese community worldwide in deep sorrow.

The tragedy, which has now been reported to have occurred when the singer declined to wear a life jacket despite repeated requests.

According to a report by India TodayNE, Abhimanyu Talukdar, President of the Assam Association, stated that the yacht trip, organised by Tanmoy Phukan, a close friend of Zubeen, was a private gathering before the singer’s scheduled performance at the North East Festival.

The yacht, carrying 18 passengers, had 11 Assamese residents, five members of Zubeen’s team, and two crew members.

It was headed toward St. John’s and the Lazarus Islands for water activities.

While docked near Lazarus Island, Zubeen initially swam with a life jacket but later returned to the yacht and removed it.

Concerned, the yacht’s captain urged the group to ensure Zubeen wore a properly fitted jacket. Talukdar too asked those on board to convince Zubeen to wear a life jacket.

Tanmoy Phukan offered Zubeen a smaller-sized life jacket, but Zubeen reportedly refused, saying he had never worn one in his life.

Despite these pleas, he re-entered the water without the jacket. Moments later, he was found floating face-down, unresponsive.

Crew members swiftly pulled him aboard, noting froth at his mouth, and administered CPR while alerting the coast guard. Despite being rushed to Singapore General Hospital’s ICU, Zubeen could not be saved.

Talukdar also dismissed rumours of alcohol involvement, stating, “Zubeen declined a drink offered to him. He was not intoxicated, as some social media claims suggest.”

It may be mentioned that Zubeen Garg's remains are scheduled to arrive in Assam in the early hours of Sunday.

As per the details available, Zubeen Garg would first be taken to his residence in Kahilpara, Guwahati, where only his family members and close ones would be allowed. After this, Zubeen's remains will be brought to the Sarusajai Stadium, where fans, well-wishers and others will be allowed to pay their tribute.

The final resting place would be decided mutually by his family, concerned persons and organisations.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday visited Arjun Bhogeswar

Baruah Sports Complex at Sarusajai, and took stock of the arrangements being put in place for the public to pay their last respects to Zubeen Garg.

Sarma asked the concerned authority to put in place facilities like

drinking water, washrooms, andadequate parking provision in and around the sports complex.

Moreover, he asked the police administration to control the movements of the heavy vehicles on the national highway adjacent to the sports complex.

It may be noted that the Chief Minister has already left for New Delhi to receive the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.