Aberdeen mother and young son die in Mumbai fire
- Published
An Aberdeen mother and her young son have died in a fire in India.
Dr Glory Valthaty, 43, and Joshua, eight, were believed to be visiting relatives when the blaze broke out in a flat in Mumbai on Monday morning.
Dr Valthaty's husband and daughter were understood to have also been on the holiday.
Joshua was a pupil at Aberdeen's Kaimhill School, whose headteacher Susie Webster said he had been a much-loved member of his class.
Ms Webster said: "It is with deepest sadness that Kaimhill School and wider community have received the shocking news of the death of Joshua and his mum, Glory.
"Joshua joined us at Kaimhill Nursery in September 2020, quickly becoming a much-loved member of his class, and well-liked across the school by all staff and pupils.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time."
Firefighters at the scene of Monday's fatal fire
She added: "We also think about Joshua's classmates as they return to school on Monday and assure our wider community of ongoing support."
Dr Valthaty was commercial director of a company called Faith Project Consultants Ltd, which is registered in Dundee.
The family were believed to have been staying in a flat owned by Dr Valthaty's brother, former Indian Premier League cricketer Paul Valthaty.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: "We are providing consular assistance to the family of two British nationals who have died in Mumbai."
It is understood Dr Valthaty worked with NHS Grampian during initial anaesthetics training, and left in 2018.
One friend posted on social media: "Glory was one of my best friends and a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother and doctor."
Another post said people were "mourning the untimely loss" of the mother and her son.
"Glory you will always be remembered as someone with that beaming smile," the post said.