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A pall of grief has descended on the family home of Zakir Hossain, a Bangladeshi migrant worker from Bhairab in Kishoreganj, who was killed in a gas plant explosion in Russia’s Amur region.
Zakir, the eldest son of the late Ratan Mia of Atkapara village in Kalikaprasad Union, was the sole earning member of his family. He is survived by his wife and an only daughter.
The explosion occurred on Tuesday (August 25) at a Sinopec gas field under the Amur Gas Chemical Complex (AGCC) project, located in Russia’s Amur region, about 7,000 kilometres from Moscow. Zakir was among those killed in the incident. News of his death reached his village home on Friday evening (August 28).
Family members said Zakir had travelled to Russia around a year and a half ago after selling land and taking loans in a bid to improve his family’s financial situation. He had been working at a gas complex in the Amur region under the Sinopec Engineering Group.
His earnings had helped the family repay debts and make ends meet. He had also recently received a promotion, but the good news has now turned into a devastating loss.
Zakir’s cousin Mahbubur Rahman said the family was already struggling financially. Before moving to Russia, Zakir had worked as a rickshaw puller and in various other jobs but found it increasingly difficult to support his family.
“He had to sell land and take loans to go to Russia. His death has pushed the family into an even deeper crisis,” Mahbubur said.
The family has urged the authorities to take immediate steps to bring Zakir’s body back to Bangladesh.
Bhairab Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) KM Mamunur Rashid said they had received confirmation of Zakir’s death and had verified the family’s financial hardship through the local union council chairman and members.
“We are making every effort to bring Zakir’s body back to Bangladesh as soon as possible,” he said, adding that the administration was in contact with the relevant authorities and agencies.
The UNO also said the government would extend assistance to Zakir’s wife and daughter, who have been left in a vulnerable financial situation following his death.