BERLIN: Three Indian students from Keralam were killed and five other people injured after a fire broke out at a residential building in Bochum, Germany, early on October 13, Tuesday. German authorities have provisionally arrested a 41-year-old Romanian national who lived in the same building on suspicion of murder, as investigators probe whether the blaze was deliberately set. The Indian Embassy in Berlin has confirmed the deaths and said that it is coordinating with local authorities to assist the affected families.
Three Indian nationals (two women and one man) have tragically lost their lives in a fire incident in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. All 3 were studying in Germany.
Embassy of India in Berlin and Consulate General of India in Frankfurt are in contact with local…
— India in Germany (@eoiberlin) October 14, 2026
Three Keralam natives identified; Embassy assures assistance
The victims were identified as Anjali Sheela Joy from Kollam district, Sivin Johny from Ernakulam district and Nova Sabu from Idukki district. The three, comprising two women aged 25 and 27 and a 26-year-old man, were studying in Germany, according to the Indian Embassy in Berlin.
In a post on X on October 13, Wednesday, the embassy expressed its condolences to the families and confirmed that the incident was under investigation by German authorities. “Three Indian nationals (two women and one man) have tragically lost their lives in a fire incident in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. All 3 were studying in Germany”, the embassy said.
It added that the Embassy of India in Berlin and the Consulate General of India in Frankfurt were in contact with local authorities and the bereaved families, extending all necessary assistance. “We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief”, the embassy said.
SHOCKING 💔
Three young Indian students have lost their lives in a horrific fire at a residential building in Bochum, Germany.
The victims have been identified as Anjali Sheela Joy (25), Nova Sabu (27) and Sivin Johny (26), all from Kerala. Five others were injured.
German…
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) October 14, 2026
Meanwhile Keralam government said that it had initiated steps to bring the victims’ bodies back to India. He confirmed that the authorities were coordinating with the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) department and the Indian Embassy to facilitate the repatriation process.
The five other people injured in the fire suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospitals in Bochum. Their nationalities and identities have not been disclosed.
Romanian national arrested as investigators probe suspected arson
German police and prosecutors announced the provisional arrest of a 41-year-old Romanian national on October 14, Wednesday. The suspect, who lived in the same apartment building, was detained after investigators found initial grounds for suspicion of murder.
German news channel n-tv, citing the German Press Agency (DPA), reported that the man had been questioned by officers from the homicide squad. A Bochum police spokesperson told public broadcaster WDR that the investigators had developed grounds to suspect him in connection with the deaths.
According to reports, investigators have ruled out a technical defect as the cause of the fire and suspect arson. The fire broke out at around 4.15AM local time on October 13, Tuesday in a multi-family residential building in Bochum’s Hofstede district. Emergency services were alerted as flames spread through the property.
Firefighters found the three victims dead inside an apartment on the second floor. The rescue operation was particularly challenging because the flames and smoke spread upwards through the stairwell, preventing emergency crews from using it to reach residents on the upper floors.
Firefighters rescued two people using a turntable ladder, two others with portable ladders and another person with a safety cushion. Five people were injured in the incident and taken to hospitals for treatment. Further reports said that the police were called to the building on October 11, Sunday, a day before the fire, following a dispute. Officers had also reportedly responded to earlier incidents at the property. The recent disputes, thus, raises suspicion about attempt to murder.
