Foreign Minister, State Minister mourn 16 Bangladeshis killed in Riyadh

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam have expressed deep grief and heartfelt condolences over the death of 16 Bangladeshi nationals in a devastating fire at a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this in a press release on Monday, August 10.

The press release said the two ministers expressed deep sympathy to the families of the deceased Bangladeshi nationals and assured them of the government's support during this irreparable loss and time of grief.

Officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh rushed to the scene immediately after receiving news of the accident. Embassy officials are working in close coordination with concerned Saudi authorities to identify the deceased and complete necessary formalities, including repatriation of the bodies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also monitoring the situation round the clock and providing necessary assistance as required, the press release added.

It may be mentioned that a devastating fire broke out at a sofa manufacturing factory in the Musa Sanaiya industrial area under Shifa police station in Riyadh around 2pm local time on Sunday, killing 16 Bangladeshi nationals.