Mohammed Aniz Abubakker (21), an Indian student from Marakada-Kunjathbail in Mangaluru, Karnataka, reportedly died in a drowning incident in Germany on Thursday.

Aniz was pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programme at Rahn Education Institution in Halle, Germany, and was in his third semester. He had moved to Germany about a year and a half ago after completing his Pre-University education at St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru.

He was the son of Marakada Abubakker Siddiq, who is currently employed with a private company in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

According to preliminary information, Aniz had gone trekking with classmates and friends on Thursday morning. Later, the group reportedly visited a water recreation area near the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, around 35 kilometres from Halle.

Emergency responders were called to the Landauer Bridge area near Hans-Driesch Street, where a body was recovered from the water at around 2:30 p.m. local time. The deceased was later identified as Mohammed Aniz Abubakker, and the body was transferred to a hospital in Halle.

While the exact cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed by German authorities, initial reports suggest the incident may have occurred while swimming. It is also learnt that four students, including two Indian nationals, were taken into police custody for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation. However, the circumstances are still under review, and no official statement has been issued regarding the cause of death.

The tragic news was first conveyed by hospital authorities to Aniz’s father, Abubakker Siddiq, in Jeddah. Due to language barriers, the communication was reportedly not immediately clear. The family in Kunjathbail was subsequently informed of his demise.

Friends and acquaintances describe Aniz as a bright, talented, and energetic young man who actively participated in academic, cultural, and extracurricular activities from his school days through his college life in Germany. He was also known for creating educational and informative content on YouTube, which earned him a large following and many admirers.

At the request of the bereaved family, P.A. Hameed Padubidri, a pro bono lawyer and social worker based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Berlin to facilitate the early repatriation of Aniz’s mortal remains to his hometown in Mangaluru. He has been in constant contact with embassy officials as well as representatives in Germany, including Aslam Ullal, who has been authorised by the family to liaise with German authorities and the embassy.

Aslam Ullal, currently based in the Netherlands, travelled to Germany immediately after the incident and visited the hospital to assist with legal procedures.

Several community organisations, including TMM in Germany, are also extending active support in this regard.

Mohammed Aniz Abubakker is survived by his parents, a sister, close relatives, and a large circle of friends and YouTube followers, all of whom are mourning the untimely loss of a promising young life.

He completed his early education from LKG to Grade 10 at the International Indian School in Jeddah (IISJ), according to Hameed Padubidri, who remains in close contact with the family.