Singapore authorities have concluded investigations into the death of Indian singer Zubeen Garg, ruling out any foul play and determining that he died as a result of accidental drowning during a yacht trip in September last year.
In a statement issued in response to media queries, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said that it had conducted a thorough investigation in line with the Coroners Act. This included examining all available evidence and recording statements from relevant witnesses to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The findings revealed that Garg had been on a yacht near Lazarus Island on September 19, 2025. He had initially entered the water wearing a life jacket but later removed it upon returning to the yacht. When he went back into the water a second time, he did so alone and without a life jacket, despite being offered one. While attempting to swim back, he was seen becoming unresponsive.
Those on board acted quickly, with the yacht's captain and others rescuing him from the water and administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
A Police Coast Guard vessel was dispatched soon after an emergency call was made, and officers arrived to assist. Garg was later attended to by paramedics upon reaching shore and was rushed to Singapore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Post-mortem examinations, including toxicology and autopsy reports, confirmed drowning as the cause of death. The authorities noted a high level of alcohol in his bloodstream, which would likely have caused severe intoxication and impaired coordination. Other substances detected were within therapeutic levels and consistent with his known medical conditions, including epilepsy and hypertension.
The findings were subsequently presented at a Coroner's Inquiry, a formal process aimed at establishing the facts surrounding such deaths.
On March 25, 2026, the State Coroner ruled the case as an accidental drowning, affirming the police's conclusions and confirming there was no evidence of foul play. The inquiry also found no indication that his death was linked to any allergic reaction to medication, food, or other substances.
The SPF extended its condolences to Garg's family and loved ones, while urging the public to refrain from speculation or comments that could undermine the integrity of the judicial process.
Meanwhile, the death of another Indian actor, Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, has also drawn widespread attention in recent days, after the popular Bengali actor died following a drowning incident at sea during a television shoot in March 2026.
Notably, one of the most memorable songs from his debut film was sung by Zubeen Garg, creating a poignant connection between the two artists whose lives were later marked by tragic, water-related incidents.
