Riyadh factory fire kills 16 Bangladeshis
Sixteen Bangladeshi migrant workers have died in a devastating fire at a sofa factory in Saudi Arabia, leaving families in three districts of Bangladesh facing the loss of their loved ones.
The fire broke out at around 3:30pm Bangladesh time on Sunday at a sofa factory in Khordam city, Riyadh, according to officials.
The victims were from Naogaon, Natore and Rajshahi, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment said in a statement early Monday.
The deaths have prompted Bangladeshi authorities to begin efforts to identify the victims, repatriate their bodies and provide assistance to their bereaved families.
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury expressed deep shock and sorrow over the deaths.
He said the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia was maintaining round-the-clock contact with local authorities following the incident.
Officials concerned had been instructed to bring the bodies home as soon as possible and ensure that the families received all necessary government assistance and compensation, the minister said.
He prayed for the eternal peace of those who died and expressed his deepest sympathy to their families.
Mohammed Saiful Islam, deputy commissioner of Naogaon, said 10 of the victims were from Atrai upazila.
They were identified as Mohammad Koli, Lutfar, Zander and Rubel of Kalikapur Union; Sagar and Majidul of Bisha Union; Shuvo and Sumon of the Dubai area; Jalal of Parkasunda village; and Md Farid Sheikh of Udonpai village.
The victims are believed to have been aged between 25 and 35.
In Natore, Naldanga Upazila Nirbahi Officer Al Amnan Khan confirmed the identities of three victims. They were Sabbir Hossain Shuvo, Shamim Hossain and Rabiul Awal Hrido, residents of different villages in Khajura Union.
The identities of the remaining victims were yet to be confirmed.
Embassy working on repatriation
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam also expressed deep shock and heartfelt condolences over the deaths.
In a statement on Monday, they conveyed their deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and assured them of government support during the difficult period.
Officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh reached the site shortly after receiving news of the fire, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The embassy is working with the relevant Saudi authorities to identify the victims and complete the formalities required to repatriate their remains.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was closely monitoring the situation and providing necessary assistance.
Once the identification process is completed, arrangements will be made to bring the bodies back to Bangladesh with the consent of the victims’ families.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over the families and communities of the migrant workers, many of whom had travelled abroad in search of work and better livelihoods for their families.
