Bangladeshi migrant worker killed in Russia gas plant explosion as family awaits repatriation of remains
Photo Collected
BHAIRAB, Bangladesh — A migrant worker from Bangladesh, Jakir Hossain, was among 15 people killed in a massive explosion at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex in Russia last Tuesday. His remains were recovered by authorities on Thursday, leaving his family in the Atkapara village of Bhairab upazila in a state of deep mourning.
Hossain, who had been working in Russia for less than a year, had recently informed his family of a pending promotion that he hoped would alleviate their significant financial burdens. His cousin, Ali Hossain, who also resides in Russia, confirmed the tragedy to the family on Friday, shattering their hopes for a better future.
Hossain’s wife, Ripa Begum, remains inconsolable while caring for their one-year-old daughter, Tayeba. Neighbors and relatives have gathered at the family’s modest tin-shed home, where the primary concern is the repatriation of his remains. “I do not want anything else right now,” Ripa Begum said. “I only want to see my husband’s remains.”
The family’s financial struggle was the primary driver for Hossain’s migration. To fund his journey to Russia in February 2025, the family spent 700,000 taka—a sum raised by selling agricultural land and securing high-interest loans from non-governmental organizations. Despite working at the Amur facility, Hossain struggled to pay off the debts, which currently stand at approximately 150,000 taka. His brothers, Delwar Hossain, Sharif Hossain, and Nur Alam, work as farmers and a rickshaw driver to support the household, which was further strained by the death of Hossain’s father, Ratan Mia, eight months ago.
Hossain’s mother, Rokeya Begum, expressed deep regret over her son’s departure. “We sent him abroad to end our poverty, and now my son is gone,” she said. “If I had known this would be his fate, I would never have let him go.”
Local government officials have pledged to assist the bereaved family. Bhairab Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) KM Mamunur Rashid stated that the administration is making every effort to coordinate the repatriation of the victim’s remains. “The family is in a very difficult financial position,” Rashid said. “We are currently exploring ways to provide them with necessary financial support.”
As the family awaits the return of Hossain’s remains, they face an uncertain future, burdened by lingering debt and the loss of their primary breadwinner. Relatives have formally requested that the government expedite the repatriation process to allow for a proper burial.
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