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A 25-year-old Indian student from Telangana lost his life in a tragic fire accident in Germany after jumping from his apartment building in a desperate attempt to escape flames and thick smoke, officials and family members said on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Thokala Hruthik Reddy, a native of Malkapur village in Jangaon district of Telangana. He was residing in Brandenburg, near Berlin, where he was pursuing his higher studies.
Fire Breaks Out In Residential Building
According to German authorities, a fire broke out in the residential building where Reddy lived late on December 31, as New Year celebrations were underway. The blaze reportedly spread rapidly to the floor where his apartment was located, filling the corridors with smoke and cutting off escape routes.
Family members said Reddy found himself trapped inside as visibility dropped sharply due to heavy smoke. With no immediate rescue available and flames closing in, he jumped from the upper floor of the building in an attempt to save himself. He sustained severe head injuries in the fall and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined. German police and fire officials have launched an investigation to ascertain how the blaze started and whether safety norms were breached. Local media reports said authorities are examining multiple possibilities, including accidental causes linked to New Year’s Eve activities. Officials have not ruled out any angle so far.
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Student’s Background And Dreams
Hruthik Reddy moved to Germany in June 2023 to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences in Potsdam, southwest of Berlin. He had completed his BTech from Vaagdevi College of Engineering in Warangal in 2022.
Relatives said Reddy had postponed his visit home during Dasara and was planning to return to Telangana in the second week of January to celebrate Sankranti with his family. His sudden death has cast a shadow of grief over his village, with friends and neighbours struggling to come to terms with the loss.
German authorities informed Reddy’s family about the incident soon after his death. His relatives in Malkapur have since appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Germany to expedite the process of bringing his mortal remains back to India for the last rites.
Reddy’s death comes amid a string of tragic incidents involving students from Telangana abroad. Last month, a 24-year-old woman from Jangaon district died in a house fire in the United States, while two other students from the state were killed in a road accident in California. As investigations continue in Germany, Hruthik Reddy’s family awaits closure, hoping to bring their son home one last time.