Kerala Expat Dies of Sudden Cardiac Arrest After Badminton in Dubai

The incident triggered an immediate emergency response. Trained colleagues and school security staff performed CPR on Vijayan as soon as he collapsed. Although an ambulance reached the scene within five minutes, he was declared dead upon arrival at a private hospital.

Preliminary medical reports have confirmed that a cardiac arrest was the cause of death.

A Healthy Lifestyle Cut Short

Those close to Vijayan were shocked by the suddenness of the event. Santhosh Kumar Parayil, the HR and administration general manager at Vijayan's company, stated that the deceased had no known history of heart conditions and appeared to be in good health.

Tito Thomas, a close friend and neighbor, shared that Vijayan had complained of breathing difficulties while walking to collect his belongings before the fatal collapse. Thomas noted that Vijayan was an active individual who maintained healthy eating habits and underwent regular medical check-ups during his vacations.

Vijayan, a resident of Ras Al Khor, is survived by his wife, Rashmi, who lives in the UAE, and his son, Rithvik, who is currently studying in India. His employer is currently assisting his family with the repatriation of his remains.

Third Sports-Related Death in 2026

This tragedy marks the third instance in 2026 where an Indian expatriate in the UAE has died suddenly during sports activities:

• June 17: 43-year-old Anwar Sadiq from Kerala died of cardiac arrest following a badminton session in Ajman.
• June 14: 38-year-old Safwan Shanu from Karnataka suffered a fatal heart attack while playing cricket in Al Garhoud, Dubai.

Medical Experts Issue Warning

Medical professionals have cautioned that even active individuals may be at risk due to undiagnosed conditions. These can include:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Coronary artery disease
• Electrical abnormalities in the heart

Experts noted that these conditions can lead to fatal cardiac events during physical exertion, particularly among middle-aged South Asian men. Authorities are urging expatriates to seek advanced cardiac screening that goes beyond routine medical check-ups, especially for those who engage in regular physical exercise.