Dhaka, 10 August (H.S.):
At least 16 Bangladeshi migrant workers were killed after a fire broke out at a sofa manufacturing factory in the Khordam area of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment confirmed on Monday, citing the Saudi fire service authorities.
According to reports citing the ministry, 10 of the victims were from Naogaon district in northern Bangladesh, while the others were from Natore and Rajshahi districts.
Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam said all 10 victims from the district were residents of Atrai upazila. The victims were reportedly aged between 25 and 35 years.
Officials in Natore’s Naldanga upazila have also identified three of the deceased as Sabbir Hossain Shuvo, Shamim Hossain and Rabiul Awal Hrido. All three were residents of different villages under Khajura Union.
The fire reportedly broke out at around 3:30 pm Bangladesh time on Sunday. The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. Saudi authorities launched rescue and relief operations following the incident.
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, describing the loss of Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to Saudi Arabia in search of employment as particularly tragic.
The minister directed officials to expedite arrangements for bringing the bodies back to Bangladesh and ensure that the affected families receive necessary government assistance and compensation.
Officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh have reached the site and are coordinating with Saudi authorities regarding the identification of the victims and the formalities required to repatriate their remains. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also monitoring the situation.
Saudi Arabia remains one of the largest employment destinations for Bangladeshi migrant workers. Around 3.5 million Bangladeshi nationals are estimated to live and work in the country, with a significant number employed in low-skilled and labour-intensive sectors.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
