A massive fire at a sofa factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has claimed the lives of 16 Bangladeshi workers in a tragic workplace incident. The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon and quickly spread across the factory, resulting in multiple fatalities.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the deaths and expressed deep condolences to the families of the workers who lost their lives in the incident. The ministry said it stands with the bereaved families during this difficult period and is working through diplomatic channels to provide necessary assistance.

The victims were Bangladeshi nationals working in Saudi Arabia. Following the incident, officials from the Bangladeshi diplomatic mission in Riyadh began coordinating with Saudi authorities to establish the identities of those who died and complete the required procedures for bringing their remains back to Bangladesh.

Fire Broke Out on Sunday Afternoon

According to the information available, the fire broke out at around 3:30 pm local time on Sunday at a sofa factory in the Khordam area of Riyadh.

The fire reportedly spread rapidly after breaking out and soon engulfed a significant portion of the factory. The presence of furniture and other potentially combustible materials may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.

Emergency and local authorities responded to the incident and began efforts to control the situation. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established, and further details are expected as the authorities continue their investigation.

Bangladeshi Embassy Officials Reach the Site

Officials from the Bangladeshi embassy in Riyadh responded quickly after receiving information about the incident. A delegation from the embassy reached the location and began coordinating with Saudi authorities.

The diplomatic mission is working to verify the identities of the deceased workers. Officials are also coordinating the legal and administrative procedures required to repatriate the bodies to Bangladesh.

The embassy is collecting additional information about the incident and assessing the needs of people affected by the tragedy. Assistance is being provided wherever required, according to the information released by the Bangladeshi authorities.

Embassy Expresses Deep Sorrow

The Bangladeshi embassy in Riyadh expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of migrant Bangladeshi workers in the fire.

In its statement, the embassy said that it was deeply saddened by the reports of casualties among Bangladeshi nationals following the fire in the Musa Saneya area of Riyadh.

The embassy said that its representatives reached the location soon after receiving information about the incident. Officials began gathering details and coordinating with the relevant Saudi authorities.

The diplomatic mission is taking all necessary steps in accordance with instructions received from the Bangladeshi government. These steps include confirming the identities of the deceased, completing legal procedures and providing assistance to affected individuals.

Process to Repatriate Remains Underway

One of the key priorities for the Bangladeshi authorities is to complete the formalities required to bring the remains of the deceased workers back to Bangladesh.

The embassy is coordinating with Saudi officials throughout the process. Identification procedures and other legal requirements need to be completed before the remains can be repatriated.

Officials are also working to collect detailed information about the victims and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Families Await Further Information

The deaths have caused deep grief among the families of the workers in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed sympathy to the bereaved families and assured them that the authorities are taking the necessary steps following the tragedy.

The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of migrant workers employed in industrial facilities abroad. Authorities are expected to continue examining the circumstances of the fire and determine how the incident occurred.

For now, the Bangladeshi diplomatic mission remains engaged with Saudi authorities regarding the identification of the victims, completion of legal procedures and repatriation of the remains.