Remains of Malaysian student killed in Russian blaze arriving tonight

The remains of a Malaysian medical student who died of burns last Saturday, while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Russia were repatriated today.

Rajesh Kumar, 25, succumbed to injuries at 12.10pm local time in Moscow's Skifosovsky Hospital, after 46 days of admission.

He had sustained burns in a fire at an off-campus hostel of the Russian National Research Medical University on April 23.

The deputy head of the Malaysian Embassy in Moscow, Francisco Munis said the remains would arrive at the KL International Airport (KLIA) tonight.

"The body is now in Dubai and will arrive at the KLIA at 9pm," he said when contacted by Bernama here.

Munis said Kumar's death was due to a weak heart that led to failure.

He is the second Malaysian to succumb to burns as a result of the hostel blaze.

On May 5, another Malaysian student, Nor Atikah Ali, 25, died as a result of respiratory complications. She sustained burns to the face, hands and legs.

Forty people, including 27 Malaysians sustained injuries when a fire broke out at the 16-storey hostel at 11.30pm on April 22 (4.30am on April 23, Malaysian time).