One more Bangladeshi dies in Russia factory fire, total four

Another Bangladeshi worker has died from injuries sustained in a fire at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex (AGCC) near Svobodny in Russia’s Amur region, taking the number of Bangladeshi fatalities in the August 25 accident to four.

The deceased, Mahin Uddin from Narsingdi, died in hospital early Friday (September 4) while undergoing treatment for critical injuries sustained in the fire, Mizanur Rahman, first secretary (labour) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow, said.

The fire broke out on August 25 at the $10 billion polymer production complex, one of the world’s largest such projects.

The facility, a joint venture between Russian petrochemical giant Sibur and China’s state-owned Sinopec, was undergoing final-stage testing ahead of its planned commercial operations early next year.

Seven deaths were initially reported following the accident, but the overall death toll later rose to 15, most of them foreign nationals.

A total of 36 Bangladeshis were injured in the incident. One remains in critical condition, while the others have been discharged after receiving treatment.

Two other Bangladeshi workers, Zakir Hossain and Md Alal Hossain Raju, died on August 26 and 27 respectively. Zakir was from Bhairab in Kishoreganj, while Raju was from Gangni in Meherpur.

Their autopsies have been completed and their bodies are expected to reach Bangladesh on September 9, according to the embassy.

The bodies of the other two victims, Abdul Quddus of Huglabaria in Pangsha, Rajbari, and Mahin Uddin of Narsingdi, are undergoing official processing.

The embassy said arrangements would be made to send their bodies to Bangladesh within six to seven days after the necessary formalities are completed.