TDS Desk:

The bodies of nine Bangladeshi workers, who tragically died in a devastating fire at a sofa factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, arrived in Dhaka on Thursday. The government has announced that each of the victims’ families will receive a total of Tk335,000 in financial assistance.

The catastrophic fire broke out on 9 August 2026, claiming the lives of 16 Bangladeshi workers. Saudi authorities have so far identified nine of the deceased through fingerprint tests. Their bodies were flown back on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-340, which landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Among the repatriated victims, seven are from Atrai Upazila in Naogaon district—which includes four from the same village and two biological brothers. The remaining two victims are from Naldanga Upazila in Natore district and Bagmara Upazila in Rajshahi district.

The bodies were formally received at the airport by Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Choudhury, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam.

Speaking at a press briefing at the airport, Minister Choudhury said that fingerprint identification was not possible for the remaining seven deceased workers.

Consequently, DNA samples from their relatives have been collected under the supervision of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to expedite the identification process. He assured that active efforts are underway to repatriate the remaining bodies as swiftly as possible.

The minister also announced that the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board have decided to grant a total of Tk335,000 in financial assistance to each of the nine families.

This package comprises Tk35,000 for body transportation and burial expenses, alongside a one-time financial grant of Tk300,000. Given the heartbreaking nature of the tragedy, the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board has arranged for its own ambulances to transport the bodies directly to the victims’ ancestral homes.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, emphasising that no loss of life is desirable. She praised the contributions of expatriate workers, noting that they work hard abroad under difficult conditions to send money back to their families.

She assured that officials at the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia are working tirelessly to bring home the remaining bodies. Due to the nature of the fire, DNA tests are necessary, and the embassy has been in close contact with the families to ensure a swift return.

The reception at the airport was also attended by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed, the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board Director General Md Asaduzzaman, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General (Consular and Welfare) Dewan Ali Ashraf, and Saudi Arabia Mission Deputy Chief in Dhaka Ibrahim Alahmari.