Bodies of three Kerala natives killed in Germany building fire brought home

Kochi: The mortal remains of three people from Keralam who died in a fire at a residential building in Germany last week were brought back to the state on Friday, officials said.

The deceased were Sivin Johny (26), a native of Kalady in Ernakulam district; Nova Sabu (25), from Kattappana in Idukki district; and Anjali Sheela Joy (27), from Chemmakkad in Kollam district.

The three reportedly died in a fire at a residential building in Bochum, Germany, last week.

Officials at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) said the bodies of Johny and Joy arrived at the airport early on Friday. Their relatives and public representatives received the mortal remains, which were taken to their respective hometowns in ambulances after the necessary formalities.

Johny's body was taken to a hospital in Aluva for the completion of formalities before being transported to his residence at Manickamangalam, near Kalady. Funeral prayers began at his house at 2 pm, followed by burial at St Rocky's Church in Manickamangalam, family members said.

Joy's body was also taken to her hometown after the airport formalities were completed.

Sabu's body arrived on a separate flight that reached CIAL by 8.40 pm on Friday, officials said. After the necessary formalities, her mortal remains were handed over to relatives, who took them to her native place.

The state government's NORKA Roots agency coordinated arrangements to bring the bodies back to Keralam, officials said.

Earlier, Chief Minister VD Satheesan had announced that the state government would bear the expenses of transporting the mortal remains of the three victims to Keralam.