Kollam/New Delhi: Three Indian nationals, all from Keralam, have died after a fire tore through an apartment building in the German city of Bochum, with police investigating whether the blaze was set deliberately. Five other residents were injured in the early-morning incident.
The victims were identified as Anjali Sheela Joy from Kollam, Sivin Johny from Ernakulam and Nova Sabu from Idukki, as reported by The Hindu. They were among three people found dead after firefighters reached a second-floor flat in the multi-storey building in Bochum’s Hofstede locality.
German authorities said the deceased included two women, aged 25 and 27, and a 26-year-old man. Their identities were initially withheld by Bochum police, according to public broadcaster WDR.
Romanian Man Held On Murder Charge
Police have detained a 41-year-old Romanian man, a resident of the same building, on suspicion of murder, n-tv reported, citing the German Press Agency (DPA). He was questioned by the homicide squad before police and prosecutors publicly confirmed his arrest on Wednesday, as reported by The New Indian Express.
A Bochum police spokesperson told WDR that investigators had initial grounds to suspect murder. Officials have also ruled out a technical fault as the cause of the fire, though they have not yet concluded whether it was intentionally ignited or accidental.
The fire was reported shortly after 4.15 am local time on Tuesday. Flames rapidly travelled up the stairwell, cutting off firefighters’ access to people trapped on the upper floors and making the rescue operation more difficult.
Emergency crews used a turntable ladder, portable ladders and a safety cushion to bring five residents to safety. Five others, who inhaled smoke, were shifted to hospitals for treatment, media reports said.
Keralam Begins Repatriation Steps
According to The Hindu, Keralam Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunath said the state government had begun steps to bring the bodies back to Kerala. He said officials were coordinating with NORKA and the Indian Embassy in this regard.