Indian youth in Australia dies after being fatally stabbed

MELBOURNE: A 21-year-old Indian youth with permanent residency in Australia was on Sunday fatally stabbed in the abdomen by unidentified assailants here while on his way to work, the first death in a slew of vicious attacks on the community members.

Nitin Garg, who migrated from Punjab, was attacked in a park when he was walking towards fast-food joint Hungry Jack's restaurant, where he worked part-time.

He staggered into the restaurant on the corner of Somerville Road and Geelong Road, West Footscray, about 10 pm local time on Saturday night (0330 HRS IST this morning) and pleaded for help before collapsing.

He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital but later died, according to TV reports.

Police said the youth from Newport had travelled to Yarraville train station about 9.30 pm local time (0300 HRS IST), then walked along Anderson Street to Cruickshank Park, where he was stabbed in the abdomen.

He managed to stumble some 300 metres to the Hungry Jack's restaurant.

Homicide Squad Senior Sergeant Dave Snare described it as a vicious attack. He said at this stage there was no known motive and there was no evidence the youth was targeted because of his race.

"I think to draw any conclusion as to the motive may interfere with the investigation and would be presumptuous at this stage," he said.