Dhaka says 16 Bangladeshi migrant workers killed in Saudi factory fire

Bangladesh's foreign ministry said on Monday it was in "deep shock" after 16 Bangladeshi nationals were killed in a fire at a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh a day earlier. The ministry confirmed the deaths in a statement, calling them a tragic loss. Officials in Dhaka are now working with Saudi authorities to repatriate the victims.

What happened in the Saudi factory fire that killed 16 Bangladeshis?

A fire broke out on Sunday at an unlicensed furniture upholstery site in Riyadh, killing 16 Bangladeshi migrant workers. Saudi civil defense authorities extinguished the blaze and completed regulatory procedures at the site afterward. They did not disclose casualty details, but Dhaka's foreign ministry confirmed the toll in its Monday statement.

How is Bangladesh responding to the deaths?

Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said there was "constant communication" with local authorities through the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia. He added that officials had been instructed to ensure the speedy repatriation of the victims' bodies. Chowdhury said the government would also secure necessary assistance and compensation for the deceased workers' families.

How many Bangladeshis work in Saudi Arabia?

Around seven million Bangladeshis work overseas, with the majority employed in the Middle East. Saudi media estimate that more than three million Bangladeshi nationals currently reside in the kingdom. Like other Gulf nations, Saudi Arabia depends heavily on laborers from the subcontinent, particularly for manual work. Foreign workers there fill roles ranging from management to street cleaning and food service, in a labor market where many citizens avoid jobs seen as menial.