A 22-year-old engineering student from Telangana died after jumping from his apartment during a fire in Germany on December 31, prompting his family to appeal for urgent assistance to bring his body back to India.
The deceased has been identified as Thokala Hruthik Reddy, a native of Malkapur village in Chilpur mandal of Jangaon district. Hruthik was living in Brandenburg, near Berlin, where he was pursuing higher studies.
Trapped as fire spread across apartment floor
According to information received by the family from German authorities, a fire broke out in the apartment building where Hruthik was staying and rapidly spread across the floor on which his flat was located. The blaze reportedly cut off all possible escape routes.
With flames engulfing the area and no immediate rescue access, Hruthik jumped from the building in a desperate attempt to save himself. He suffered critical head injuries in the fall and was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors could not save him.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed by authorities.
Pursuing master’s degree in Germany
Hruthik was pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences in Potsdam, a city located southwest of Berlin. He had moved to Germany to further his education and was described by relatives as ambitious and hardworking.
Before travelling abroad, Hruthik had completed his engineering degree from a private college in Warangal.
Family seeks help for body repatriation
Relatives in Malkapur said they were informed about Hruthik’s death by German authorities. The family has now appealed to Indian officials to assist with the repatriation of his mortal remains to Telangana.
Villagers and local representatives have expressed shock and grief over the incident, describing Hruthik as a bright student with aspirations of building a career abroad.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the challenges faced by Indian students overseas and the need for timely diplomatic support in emergencies involving citizens abroad.