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A devastating fire at a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, has claimed the lives of 16 Bangladeshi expatriate workers, according to preliminary information from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
The fire broke out in a factory located in the Musa Sanaiya industrial area under Shifa police station, causing heavy casualties. Authorities have begun verifying the identities of the victims.
Among the deceased, 13 hailed from Atrai upazila in Naogaon, two from Naldanga in Natore, and one from Bagmara in Rajshahi.
The victims from Atrai include Rubel Pramanik, son of Saidur Rahman; Kalim Uddin, son of the late Bazlur Pramanik; Mohon and Sumon, sons of Guffar Pramanik, all from Gondogohali village; and Majidul, son of Majnu, from Kharasrota village.
Others identified from the same upazila include Farid of Ujanpoi village; Shuvo and Sumon from Dubai village; Hridoy from Boala village; Shahin from Naogaon village; Abdul Jalil from Kharasrota village; and Sagar from Sadanagar village. The name of one more victim from Minhaz village could not be confirmed immediately.
From Natore’s Naldanga upazila, the deceased were identified as Shamim from Dighirpar village and Sabbir from Khajura village. The remaining victim, Shyamal, was from Morugram in Dangapara area of Bagmara upazila in Rajshahi.
The ministry said the identities are being cross-checked with relevant authorities, and further details about the incident will be released after verification.
The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be officially disclosed.