KOTA BARU: Another Kelantan-born final year medical student who was warded following the April 22 fire in a Russian National Medical Studies University dorm has died.

Rajesh Kumar, 25, died of lung and heart complications on Saturday – 46 days after being admitted to the Sklifosovskogo hospital in Moscow.

This is the second death where 40 people, including 27 Malaysians, were injured when the fire broke out at the 16-storey off-campus hostel at 11.30pm.

On May 5, Nor Atikah Ali, 25, of Pasir Puteh died after succumbing to respiratory problems and was buried at Kampung Bukit, Jeram Linang, Pasir Puteh on May 10.

Rajesh’s father, Krishna Kumar, 52, said the eldest of four children died at 12.30pm Malaysian time.

“We had hoped that he would live through the ordeal although he suffered severe burns,” he said yesterday. “And, my son had a strong spirit.

“Not once did Rajesh complain that he was in pain although he had 40% burns.

“And, he was always smiling when we spent time with him there,” Krishna said yesterday.

He said that he felt disappointed that he could not spend more time with his son.

“We were only allowed five minutes a day,” he said.

“His health was improving day by day and we were totally devastated when his condition worsened and now he is dead,” Krishna said. He also claimed that Malaysian Embassy staff in Moscow “were not at all helpful”.

He said his son’s remains were expected to arrive in Malaysia tomorrow.

“He will be buried in Tumpat.”-thestar