Singer Zubeen Garg, 52, dies in a scuba diving accident in Singapore

Zubeen Garg

Noted Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has tragically died in a scuba diving accident in Singapore. He was just 52.

The noted singer was in Singapore to attend a Northeast Festival, which was to be held from September 19-21. And he was slated to perform at the festival today.

According to reports, Singapore police rescued him from the sea and he was rushed to a nearby hospital but couldn't be saved. He was placed under intensive medical care, but the doctors could not save him.

His sudden demise has his fans in shock and it has left a deep void in India’s music industry.

The singer, known for his song Ya Ali (Gangster), was reportedly pulled out of the sea by Singapore police.

The Assamese community and his fans were left shocked by his unexpected death. The singer has left a huge hole in India's music industry.

Past medical emergencies

The singer had been frequently in the headlines for his medical emergency. In May 2025, the singer was rushed to the hospital after suffering chest pain. He felt nausea and chest pain during the premiere of the Assamese film, Bhaimon Da, in Guwahati.

Zubeen has sung in 40 different languages and dialects, but his popular songs were in the Bengali, Hindi, and Assamese film and music industries.

He was also known to play 12 instruments, including anandalahari, dhol, dotara, drums, guitar, harmonica, harmonium, mandolin, keyboard, tabla, and other percussion instruments. He was the highest-paid singer in Assam.

Zubeen's sister, Jongki Borthakur, who was an actress and a singer, had died in a car accident in February 2002 in Sonitpur district.

He and Jongki were going to perform a stage show along with her co-artists. He had released the album Xixhu in 2002, in memory of Jonkey Borthakur.