The bodies of nine of the 16 Bangladeshis killed in a devastating fire at a sofa-manufacturing factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) today. The repatriation follows the confirmation of their identities. Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed were present to receive the bodies, which were carried by Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-340.
Also present at the cargo gate during the handover process to the families of the deceased were Saudi Arabia's Deputy Ambassador to Bangladesh Ibrahim, Expatriates' Welfare Secretary Md. Mokhtar Ahmed, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, along with officials from various government levels. The fire at the sofa factory in the Khordam district of Riyadh claimed the lives of 16 Bangladeshi workers on August 9.
Ten of the deceased were residents of Atrai Upazila in Naogaon district, while the remaining were from Natore and Rajshahi districts. The Expatriates' Welfare Minister said that from the Wage Earners' Welfare Board, each bereaved family has been provided with Tk 35,000 for burial expenses, Tk 50,000 in cash, and ambulance support for transporting the bodies. Additionally, each family will receive Tk 3 lakh in financial assistance.
Expressing deep grief over the tragic deaths, the minister said that the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia is maintaining constant communication with local authorities. He added that instructions have been given to relevant authorities to expedite the repatriation of the remaining bodies and to ensure all necessary government assistance and compensation for the families. Addressing the grieving family members, he said, 'We have lost our brothers. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathy to the families, and I pray that Allah forgives them all.'
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said, 'We have lost 16 people. All officials of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs have worked tirelessly. I thank the Saudi government for their round-the-clock communication, assistance, and for sending their Deputy Ambassador here. The bodies of the remaining seven will arrive once their identities are confirmed through DNA tests with the help of family members. No death is desirable. Our citizens go abroad with great hardship and send remittances for the country. We are trying to ensure that the remaining bodies are returned to their families.'
The Saudi authorities have identified nine individuals through fingerprint analysis. Those identified are Md. Farid, Md. Rubel Pramanik, Md. Sohel Rana, Md. Kalimuddin, Md. Mohan Ali, Md. Sumon Ali, and Abdul Jalil Sardar from Naogaon; Rabiul Islam from Naldanga Upazila in Natore; and Md. Shyamal Uddin Majhi from Rajshahi. The tragic incident underscores the perilous conditions that many Bangladeshi expatriates face while working abroad, often in hazardous environments. The government's prompt action in repatriating the bodies and providing financial assistance highlights the importance of protecting the rights and welfare of overseas workers.
