A 25-year-old Indian student, Thokala Hruthik Reddy, tragically died in Magdeburg, Germany, on New Year's Day after attempting to escape a fire in his apartment building. Reddy, a native of Malkapur village in the Jangaon district of Telangana, India, was pursuing his master's degree at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences. He had moved to Germany in June 2023 to further his education after completing his bachelor's degree in Telangana.

Reports indicate that a fire broke out in the apartment where Reddy was residing on December 31, 2025. The flames and thick smoke quickly engulfed the building, leaving residents with limited escape routes. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Reddy jumped from the building. The fall resulted in severe head injuries, and he was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, initial local reports suggest that illegal fireworks may have triggered the blaze, causing it to spread rapidly.

The news of Reddy's death has plunged his family and native village into deep mourning. His father, Thokala Sampath Reddy, is a BJP district spokesperson, and his mother, Karuna, leads a local self-help group. His younger sister, Sahasra, is pursuing her BPharmacy degree. A neighbor mentioned that Reddy had planned to visit home during Dasara but postponed his trip, promising to return for Sankranti on January 13th.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has been urged by Reddy's family to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy to expedite the repatriation of his body for final rites in his native village. The Indian Embassy in Germany has been informed and is coordinating with local authorities to assist the family in completing the necessary legal formalities and arranging for the transport of the body back to India.

This tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Telugu community, highlighting the dangers faced by students living abroad. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and the need for increased awareness and precautions during festive celebrations.