Three young Keralites are dead after a fire tore through an apartment building in Bochum, Germany, in the early hours of Tuesday. German police suspect arson — and have arrested a 41-year-old Romanian man who lived in the same building on suspicion of murder.
The fire broke out around 4:15 AM local time on October 13 in a multi-family residential building in Bochum’s Hofstede district, according to Bochum police. Emergency services rushed in, but flames had spread up the wooden stairwell, cutting off the escape route to the upper floors. Firefighters found the three victims dead in a second-floor apartment. Five other people suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospitals in Bochum.
Investigators have ruled out a technical defect as the cause, The Hindu reported, citing German broadcaster WDR. Whether the fire was deliberately set or started accidentally is still under investigation.
Quick Read
- Who died: Nova Sabu (25, Idukki), Anjali S Joy (27, Kollam) and Sivin Joni (27, Kalady) — all three had moved to Germany this year.
- What happened: Fire at ~4:15 AM on Oct 13 in a Bochum apartment block; stairwell engulfed, blocking rescues; 5 others injured.
- The probe: A 41-year-old Romanian resident arrested on suspicion of murder; arson suspected, technical fault ruled out.
The three who died
All three victims were from Kerala and had arrived in Germany recently — each chasing a fresh start abroad.
Nova Sabu, 25, was from Irattayar near Kattappana in Idukki district. She had moved to Germany just six months ago and worked as a gym trainer, Daijiworld reported. She had moved on July 3 after securing a job.
Anjali S Joy, 27, was from Perinad in Kollam. A BEd graduate, she moved to Germany in July this year and worked in a warehouse logistics firm, according to Onmanorama. She is survived by her sister Ashwani S Joy.
Sivin Joni, 27, was from Kalady. He had arrived in Germany barely two weeks before the fire, Onmanorama reported.
Kerala Kaumudi reported that the three had moved into the building’s second-floor apartment just two weeks ago. That’s what makes this especially cruel: three young people, weeks into a new life in a new country, killed before they could settle in.
The arrested neighbour
German police announced on Wednesday that they had arrested a 41-year-old resident of the building on suspicion of murder, the German Press Agency DPA reported, citing broadcaster n-tv. The man, a Romanian national, had been questioned by the homicide squad before the arrest.
A Bochum police spokesperson told WDR there were initial grounds for suspicion of murder against him. Under the direction of the Bochum Public Prosecutor’s Office, police have formed an investigative commission to determine the circumstances of the fire.
One detail worth noting: local media reported that police had been called to the same building days earlier — on Sunday — following a dispute, according to The Week, citing Bild. Police spokesperson Jens Artschwager told Bild that no complaint was filed and they are “checking whether there is a connection with the fire.” Authorities have said earlier incidents at the property appeared unrelated. So: a dispute happened, a fire followed — but no one has connected the two yet. That’s the honest state of the probe.
Also read: Trump Buys Russian Diesel After Punishing India
Kerala responds
Back home, the state government moved quickly. Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunath said Kerala had initiated steps to bring the bodies back, and confirmed the government is coordinating with NORKA (the state’s agency for expatriates) and the Indian Embassy in Germany. He also spoke to Anjali’s family, The Hindu reported.
The Indian Embassy in Berlin is in touch with German police, per PTI-based reports. Repatriation of the bodies is the immediate priority; the families in Idukki, Kollam and Kalady are waiting.
Why this story matters for India
Germany hosts one of Europe’s largest Indian diasporas — tens of thousands of Indian students and workers live across the Ruhr region, which includes Bochum. When something like this happens, it lands hard in Kerala, where nearly every family knows someone working in the Gulf or Europe.
It’s also a reminder of how exposed new migrants are. All three victims had been in Germany for six months or less. They were still finding their feet — in housing, in work, in a language most didn’t speak fluently. When a fire breaks out at 4 AM in a building where you’re still learning which stairs lead where, the margin for error is zero.
What happens next
The homicide investigation is now the main story. Bochum police will determine whether the fire was deliberately set or started accidentally — and whether the arrested man has a case to answer. The bodies will be repatriated to Kerala once German formalities are complete.
Five people injured in the blaze remain in Bochum hospitals. Their nationalities haven’t been confirmed yet.
FAQ
Who were the three Keralites killed in the Bochum fire?
Nova Sabu (25) from Idukki, Anjali S Joy (27) from Kollam and Sivin Joni (27) from Kalady. All three were recent arrivals in Germany, according to Onmanorama.
Who has been arrested in the Bochum fire case?
A 41-year-old Romanian national who lived in the same building. He was arrested on October 14 on suspicion of murder, DPA reported. Police had earlier questioned him through the homicide squad.
Was the Bochum fire an accident or arson?
Investigators have ruled out a technical defect, and German police say there is suspicion of arson. But whether the fire was deliberately set or started accidentally remains under investigation — that hasn’t been established yet.
Also read: Pakistan’s Fatah-2 Missile Test: What It Means for India
Also read: Rubio Visits India Next Week: Energy, Tariffs and the Oct 18 Deadline
