What was meant to be a journey of education and new beginnings ended in tragedy for a young student from Telangana, who lost his life in a fire accident in Germany during the New Year period.

Thokala Hrithik Reddy, a native of Malkapur village in Jangaon district, died after suffering critical head injuries while attempting to escape a fire at his residence near Berlin. The incident occurred on New Year’s Day, when a blaze reportedly broke out in the apartment building where he was staying.

According to information shared by officials and family members, thick smoke and flames spread rapidly through the building, leaving Hrithik with limited options. In a desperate attempt to save himself, he jumped from an upper floor of the apartment. He was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, but doctors were unable to revive him.

Hrithik had moved to Germany in June 2023 to pursue a Master’s degree at the University of Europe. A graduate of Vaagdevi College of Engineering in Warangal, he had postponed earlier travel plans during Dasara and was expected to return home in mid-January to celebrate Sankranti with his family. Instead, his body is now expected to be brought back for last rites.

German authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, the student’s family has approached the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Germany to help expedite the repatriation process.

The incident has added to a growing sense of unease following recent deaths of Telugu students abroad. Last week, a student from Nalgonda district died in the US under unexplained circumstances, while last month, a young woman from Jangaon lost her life in a house fire in New York.