Fire at Saudi factory kills 16 Bangladeshi migrant workers

Sixteen Bangladeshi migrant workers perished in a major fire that erupted at a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The blaze broke out on Sunday in the Musa Sanaiya industrial area, sending shockwaves through the Bangladeshi community in the kingdom.

Officials in Dhaka confirmed the fatalities on Monday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively monitoring the situation. Representatives from the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh are collaborating with Saudi authorities to expedite the necessary repatriation procedures for the deceased.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury has directed officials to ensure the swift return of the bodies. He also stressed the importance of providing full government assistance and compensation to the families grieving their loss. Saudi Arabia is the largest destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, with approximately 3.5 million living and working there. Last year, these workers sent home over $2.7 billion in remittances.