Published : 10 Aug 2026, 05:14 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:31 AM
All 16 people killed in a fire at a sofa factory in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh have been identified as Bangladeshis, according to the Bangladesh Embassy.
The fire broke out around 2pm on Sunday local time at a sofa factory in the Musa Sanaiya industrial area under Shifa Police Station.
The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, citing the Bangladesh Embassy, said around 1:30am that rescue workers had confirmed 16 deaths at the scene.
The bodies were badly burnt, making identification difficult, the ministry's spokesperson Md Shariful Islam said in a message.
"The local fire service is still conducting rescue operations. The bodies are difficult to identify as they were badly burnt," he said.
Embassy officials are at the scene and are maintaining close contact with Saudi authorities to identify the victims, he added.
Local authorities reported the deaths of 13 people from Atrai Upazila in Naogaon. Two others were from Naldanga in neighbouring Natore, while another Bangladeshi expatriate was from Bagmara in Rajshahi.
Earlier, relatives and local representatives had reported 16 deaths but could not confirm whether nationals of other countries were among the victims.
Khajura Union Chairman Md Sohrab Hossain, citing relatives, said everyone was asleep at around 2pm when one worker went out for a haircut. On returning, he saw the fire and raised the alarm. Firefighters later recovered 16 bodies after bringing the blaze under control.
Atrai Upazila administrator Md Moniruzzaman said seven deaths were initially reported around 10:30pm before the number rose to 13. Officials were continuing to check villages and said the toll could rise.
The reported victims from Atrai include Farid Sheikh, 32; Md Lutfar, 32; Md Kalimuddin, 30; Mohan; Rubel; Md Jalil; Sagar; Majidul; Hasibul Hasan Shuvo, 30; and Sumon, among others.
The deaths have plunged villages across Atrai into mourning, with relatives gathering at the victims' homes.
The ministry said it had been in contact with the embassy since learning of the fire and was coordinating with Saudi authorities. It is taking steps to bring the bodies home quickly and has decided to provide compensation to the victims' families.
Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury directed officials to ensure compensation and said the families of the dead and injured would receive necessary government assistance.
The minister expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, while the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh also conveyed its condolences.
