Three Migrant Workers from Natore Among Sixteen Killed in Riyadh Factory Fire
Photo Collected
A fire at a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has claimed the lives of 16 people, including three migrant workers from Naldanga Upazila in the Natore district of Bangladesh. The victims, identified as Shamim Hossain, Sabbir Ahmed, and Rabiul Awal, died after a massive blaze broke out at their workplace on Sunday.
Shamim Hossain, 30, had been working in Saudi Arabia for eight months and leaves behind a one-month-old daughter, Chapa Jannah, whom he had seen for the last time via a video call just hours before his death. His wife, Mitu Khatun, said that Shamim had planned to return home during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr to visit his daughter and family. Shamim, the only child of his parents, had taken out significant loans to secure his employment abroad.
The tragedy has left families in three different villages of Naldanga in profound grief. In Sreepur village, the family of 30-year-old Sabbir Ahmed is mourning his loss. Sabbir had been working in Saudi Arabia for four and a half years and was also planning to return home for the Eid holidays. His father, Golam Rabbani, noted that Sabbir’s wife visited her in-laws’ home for the first time on Monday, only to be met with the news of her husband’s death.
A third victim, 25-year-old Rabiul Awal from Mohishdanga village, also perished in the incident. Family members reported that because Rabiul did not have a valid residency permit, his name was initially excluded from the official government casualty list. Rabiul, who had been working at the same factory as his brother, had traveled to Saudi Arabia two years ago. His brother survived the incident.
Naldanga Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Al Imran Khan visited the families of the victims on Monday to offer condolences and support. He stated that the government is maintaining close communication with the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh to expedite the repatriation of the victims’ remains. Officials have assured the families that all necessary diplomatic efforts are being made to bring the deceased home as quickly as possible.
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