The man who died following a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a restaurant in Sydney’s northwest has been identified as 25-year-old Nepali student Shiva Khatri. Shiva was found unresponsive inside the Haveli Indian Restaurant in Riverstone on Tuesday morning, where emergency services were called after reports of a gas leak. Despite CPR attempts, he could not be revived.
His brother, Mandip Khatri, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to return Shiva’s body to Nepal so he can be laid to rest with his family. “Hello, my name is Mandip Khatri, the brother of Shiva Khatri. With deep sorrow, I share that Shiva tragically lost his life yesterday morning in a workplace accident. We are raising funds to take Shiva’s body back to Nepal so that he can be laid to rest with his family. The donations will be used for the repatriation process and to provide support to our grieving family during this difficult time. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a big difference and help us honour Shiva’s memory,” the appeal reads.
Five police officers and another person were also hospitalised after being exposed to the gas while responding to the emergency. They remain in a stable condition at Blacktown Hospital. Hazmat crews confirmed high levels of gas inside the two-storey building, which has been closed while investigations continue. Authorities believe carbon monoxide was the cause, though tests are ongoing.
Community leaders and members of the Nepali diaspora in Sydney have expressed their sorrow at Shiva’s passing. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Mr. Shiva Khatri, a Nepali student in Sydney, who passed away in the recent Riverstone restaurant gas leak incident. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and the Nepali community in Australia. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” one statement read.
The fundraiser for Shiva’s repatriation has already begun receiving support from community members who want to help ease the burden on his grieving family. Authorities have urged the public to ensure homes and businesses are fitted with gas detectors and proper ventilation, warning that carbon monoxide is odourless and invisible but potentially deadly.
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the leak and have asked anyone with information or dash-cam footage from the area on Tuesday morning to come forward.
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😢#Nepali student Shiva Khatri, 25, died in a carbon monoxide leak at #Sydney's #HaveliIndianRestaurant.🚑His family seeks funds to repatriate his body to #Nepal; five police officers were also hospitalised.🙏 #TheIndianSun
More details inside 🔗 https://t.co/TWrC0EaQvD pic.twitter.com/SO31aRGvIV
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