Riyadh sofa factory fire kills 16 Bangladeshi workers

RIYADH: At least 16 Bangladeshi migrant workers have died after a fire swept through a sofa manufacturing factory in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, in a tragedy that has prompted urgent efforts to bring the victims’ remains home.

The fire broke out on Sunday at a furniture manufacturing facility in the industrial area of Riyadh’s Al Shifa district, according to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Bangladesh’s embassy in Riyadh is coordinating with Saudi authorities over the incident and arrangements for the repatriation of the victims’ bodies. Officials are also working to identify the deceased and complete the necessary formalities.

Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and directed officials to speed up the process of returning the bodies to Bangladesh.

He also called for assistance and compensation to be provided to the bereaved families, many of whom depend on income earned by relatives working abroad.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence confirmed that firefighters had responded to a blaze at an unlicensed furniture-making facility in the capital, although its initial statement did not provide details about the fatalities.

The tragedy has once again drawn attention to workplace safety for migrant labourers in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia is home to a large Bangladeshi expatriate community, with reports putting the number at around 3.5 million.

For many of these workers, employment in Saudi Arabia provides a vital source of income for families back home. The deaths in Riyadh have therefore sent shockwaves beyond the immediate workplace, leaving families anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones.

Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the fire and examine safety conditions at the factory. The focus will also be on determining whether violations contributed to the deadly blaze.

For Bangladesh, the immediate priority remains bringing the victims home and ensuring their families receive the promised support.