Published Oct 17, 2026 | 10:30 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 17, 2026 | 10:30 AM
German police have arrested a 41-year-old Romanian national who lived in the same building on suspicion of murder.
The bodies of three Malayalis who died in a fire at a multi-storey residential complex in Bochum, Germany, are expected to reach Keralam by Sunday or Monday, with repatriation procedures nearing completion.
German police had arrested a 41-year-old Romanian national who lived in the building on suspicion of murder after investigators found reason to suspect that the fire had been deliberately set.
The arrival date will depend on the availability of cargo space on Air India flights.
The necessary documents have been secured, including German police death certificates confirming smoke inhalation as the cause of death and authorisation for repatriation from the Civil Registration Office.
As the deceased’s passports could not be traced, the Indian Consulate General in Frankfurt has issued alternative travel documents. The No Objection Certificate (NOC) is expected to be issued following an application by the funeral agency handling the repatriation.
NORKA-ROOTS has been coordinating with the Protector of Emigrants in Thiruvananthapuram, the Union Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Berlin, the Consulate General in Frankfurt and Malayali organisations in Germany.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan had earlier directed NORKA-ROOTS to bear all the expenses of the repatriation process.
The deceased have been identified as Anjali Sheela Joy (27) of Perinad in Kollam, Sivin Johny (26) of Kalady in Ernakulam, and Nova Sabu (25) of Erattayar in Idukki.
Anjali Sheela Joy was the daughter of Joy, a retired Agriculture Department employee, and Sheela Joy, a retired office assistant in the Registration Department. She worked in a warehouse in Germany.
Sivin Johny was a student who had arrived in Germany just two weeks before the tragedy.
Nova Sabu, daughter of KP Sabu and PN Jyothi of Kochadattel, Shanthigram, Kattappana, worked as a gym trainer in Germany. She moved to the country on July 3 after securing a job.
Also Read:
Japan train accident victim Devika’s ashes handed over to family in Kannur
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar. Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
