Russia college fire: Bodies of Indian students reach Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 17: Bodies of two Indian medical students killed in a fire that broke out at a university dormitory at Smolensk in Russia reached Mumbai today.

BJP MP Kirit Somiaya, who was present at the airport along with the students' family members to receive the bodies, said Union minister Sushma Swaraj and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have spoken to the kin of the victims.

"I connected the family members to Swaraj and Fadnavis through my mobile phone," Somaiya said.

The students - Pooja Kallur (22) from Navi Mumbai and Karishma Bhosale (20) from Pune - were killed in their sleep when the fire broke out on the fourth floor of the dormitory of Smolensk Medical Academy on Sunday.

While Pooja's body was taken to adjoining Navi Mumbai for last rites, Karishma's body was taken to Pune, Somaiya said.

He said Pooja's funeral is slated to take place later today in Seawood area of Navi Mumbai, where her house is located, and that of Karishma in Pune later in the day.

Pooja's kin had yesterday blamed the college administration for not doing enough to save her life.

"Her friend informed us of the fire. The institute didn't inform us anything. It should have done so," her brother had said.

"It is the college's responsibility to save the students. There should have been fire extinguishers. The warden should save the students. They didn't do any such thing. They did nothing," he had said.

PTI