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Saudi Arabian emergency teams continued recovery operations late on Sunday after a major fire tore through a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh's Al Shifa district, killing at least 16 workers believed to be Bangladeshi nationals.
According to information provided by Bangladesh Embassy officials in Riyadh, local firefighters confirmed that the fatalities occurred at the scene following the blaze at a furniture production facility located in the Musa Sanaiya industrial area. The fire broke out at approximately 2pm local time, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Officials said the bodies were severely burned, making immediate identification difficult. Saudi rescue teams remained at the site as recovery and forensic procedures continued. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been officially announced, and relevant Saudi authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Bangladesh's diplomatic mission in Riyadh has expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life. Embassy officials have been deployed to the scene and are working closely with Saudi authorities to verify the identities of the victims and establish contact with their families.
Labour Counsellor Mohammad Rezaye Rabby told journalists that local eyewitnesses had indicated that all those who died were Bangladeshi nationals. He added that rescue personnel on the ground had confirmed 16 deaths, while identification efforts remained challenging because of the condition of the bodies.
The tragedy has drawn a swift response from Bangladesh's Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, which has been monitoring developments through diplomatic channels. The ministry said communication remains ongoing with the embassy and Saudi authorities to ensure all necessary assistance is provided.
In a message of condolence, Expatriates' Welfare Adviser Ariful Haque Chowdhury expressed deep grief over the deaths of the migrant workers.
“Such an untimely and tragic loss of our expatriate brothers, who were working far from home in pursuit of a livelihood, is deeply heartbreaking,” he told journalists. “Their contribution to Bangladesh's economy is immense. I am profoundly saddened by this sudden tragedy and extend my deepest sympathies to the bereaved families.”
He further stated that Bangladesh authorities were maintaining round-the-clock contact with officials in Saudi Arabia and had instructed relevant agencies to facilitate the swift repatriation of the victims' remains and ensure all available government assistance and compensation measures are pursued for affected families.
The adviser also prayed for the departed souls and asked that the families be granted strength during an exceptionally difficult period.
As the investigation progresses, attention is expected to focus on the circumstances surrounding the fire, workplace safety conditions and the timeline for identifying victims. For many families in Bangladesh, the immediate priority remains confirmation of their loved ones' identities and arrangements for bringing them home.
Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that embassy officials are continuing to coordinate with Saudi authorities and will provide further updates as identification and recovery efforts advance.
