Thomas Gabriel, an autorickshaw driver from Thumba in Thiruvananthapuram, had travelled to Israel with his distant relative, Edison, on February 5. Thomas remained in contact with his wife, Christina, until February 9, assuring her that he was safe. When she received no further communication, a worried Christina sought assistance from the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs. On February 28, she received an email response confirming Thomas’ death. According to the email, Thomas had died on February 10. Thomas had previously worked as a security guard in Kuwait for three years before returning to Kerala five to six years ago. He was a member of St. Dominic’s Church, Vettucaud, but further details about the travel arrangements remain unclear. His phone has been switched off since his disappearance.Thomas’ body remains in Israel, and his family requires substantial financial assistance to repatriate his remains. Two of the individuals involved in this travel programme are reportedly imprisoned in Israel.
