Riyadh factory fire kills 16 Bangladeshis

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at least 16 Bangladeshi nationals were killed Sunday in a fire at a sofa factory in the Musa Sanaiya area of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Times of India, citing the ministry, reported Monday that the fire broke out at around 3:30 p.m. local time at a sofa factory in Khordam city, Riyadh, before spreading rapidly.

The ministry expressed deep grief and offered "heartfelt condolences" to the victims’ families. "The Honourable Foreign Minister and Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs have expressed deep grief and heartfelt condolences over the tragic loss of 16 Bangladeshi nationals in a devastating fire at a sofa factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday," the ministry said in a statement quoted by the report.

Officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh reached the scene after receiving information about the fire. Embassy officials were coordinating with Saudi authorities to identify the victims and complete formalities for repatriating the bodies.

The embassy said it was gathering detailed information and assisting those affected. It said it was taking measures including confirming the identities of the deceased, completing legal formalities and providing assistance in accordance with directives from the highest levels of the government.