A fire that broke out at a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has left at least 16 Bangladeshi migrant workers dead. The blaze occurred at the Musa Sanaiya Industrial Area under Shifa Police Station in Riyadh at approximately 2:00 pm on Sunday. The Bangladesh Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment confirmed the deaths, citing a notification from Rezae Rabbie, counsellor for labour at the Labour Welfare Wing of the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh.
Early Reports Centred on Atrai
In the hours after the fire, the ministry’s initial press release named seven Bangladeshi workers from Naogaon’s Atrai upazila among the dead. Expatriates’ Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said in that release that seven Bangladeshi workers from Naogaon’s Atrai upazila were killed in the fire. As embassy officials worked through the night to identify victims, the confirmed toll rose.
Toll Rises to 16 With Wider Regional Losses
By early Monday, the ministry’s updated statement put the total death toll higher and widened the list of affected districts. The Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry confirmed in a statement early Monday that at least 16 Bangladeshis were killed, with victims from Naogaon, Natore, and Rajshahi. A preliminary list showed 13 of the victims were from Atrai upazila in Naogaon, two from Naldanga upazila in Natore, and one from Bagmara upazila in Rajshahi.
Identifying the Victims Proved Difficult
The scale of the fire complicated efforts to identify those who died. Local witnesses said all the deceased were Bangladeshi, and identifying the bodies became difficult given the extent of the fire, with the local fire service still conducting rescue operations. Local residents in Naogaon said the reported victims came from several villages in Atrai, including Gondagohali, Dubai, Baithakhali, Khanjor, Parkasunda, and Dighirpar.
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Government Response and Next Steps
Bangladeshi officials moved quickly to respond to the tragedy and support the victims’ families. The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment said the government was in contact with local authorities and the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia, with efforts underway to repatriate the bodies and provide government assistance to the families. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman also expressed deep shock and heartfelt condolences over the fire.
A Community in Mourning
The tragedy has struck deeply in Naogaon, Natore, and Rajshahi, districts with a long history of sending workers abroad to support their families. Officials have said the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh remains in close contact with Saudi authorities as identification work continues, and further updates on the final toll and the cause of the fire are expected in the coming days.
Summary: A devastating fire at a sofa factory in Riyadh’s Manfuhah area has killed at least 16 Bangladeshi workers. The Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry confirmed the deaths, with victims traced to Naogaon’s Atrai upazila, Natore, and Rajshahi.
