An Indian man from the southern state of Kerala was shot by Jordanian security personnel when he allegedly tried to enter Israel illegally on February 10, media reports said.
According to media reports, the deceased person was identified as 47-year-old Thomas Gabriel Perera.
He reportedly hails from Thiruvananthapuram’s Thumba region.
Another Survives
Another Indian citizen, Perera’s relative and companion, who was identified as Edison, 43, also tried to cross the Israel border, and he was shot in his leg.
He faced legal proceedings and was deported to India on February 28 after undergoing treatment at a hospital in Jordan.
According to a report by The Independent, Perera and Edison, both autorickshaw drivers from Thumba, were reportedly promised jobs in Israel by an Indian working in Jordan, with a monthly salary of Rs 350,000.
Edison claimed that they had paid the person Rs 210,000 upfront and were to pay Rs 50,000 monthly once they secured employment.
The Indian Embassy in Jordan is in touch with the local authorities and following up on the matter. It has informed the victim’s family about the death and is rendering all possible consular assistance, Ministry of External Affairs sources told India Today.
Indian Embassy Reacts
In a separate X post, the Indian Embassy in Jordan said: “The Embassy has learnt of the sad demise of an Indian national in unfortunate circumstances.”
“The Embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased and is working closely with Jordanian authorities for transportation of mortal remains of the deceased.
@MEAIndia,” the Embassy said.
The Indian Express quoted the embassy’s letter as stating, “Thomas and another person were trying to cross the Jordan border at Karkak district illegally” on the night of 10 February.
“The security forces tried to stop them, but they did not listen to the warning. The guards opened fire on them. One bullet hit Thomas in his head and he died on the spot. Later, his body was sent to a local hospital,” the report said.
Family Reacts
A family member of Thomas Gabriel Perera said he last called home on February 9.
He reportedly worked in Kuwait for the past five years.
“We don’t know what happened exactly. He left here on February 5. On February 9, my sister received a call. It was just for 2 minutes. He just asked to pray for him and cut the call. Then we received an email, and we got to know that he had died after he was shot in the head and his body is lying at a government hospital there. He didn’t say anything to his wife and left silently,” the family member told India Today.
Dangerous Destinations For Work
In March of last year, Nibin Maxwell, an Indian man, was killed during the Israel-Gaza conflict.
He had moved to Israel in late 2023 seeking employment and was among many Indian men taking jobs in perilous locations, like the Russian frontline in Ukraine.
Israel is not the only dangerous destination for Indians seeking work. Several Indian men were reportedly unknowingly recruited to serve in the Russian military in Ukraine after responding to job ads seeking “army helpers.”
In January, the foreign ministry confirmed that at least 126 Indian nationals had joined the Russian military. Of them, 96 had returned home, 12 had been killed, and 16 were still considered “missing.”
