5 Saudi fire victims return Saturday

The bodies of five more workers from Naogaon, who were killed in a fire at a sofa factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will arrive in Bangladesh on Saturday (October 31).

Their identities were confirmed through DNA tests, and Saudi authorities have completed the necessary procedures to send their bodies home.

According to a notice signed by Bangladesh Embassy Counsellor in Riyadh Mohammad Reza-e Rabbi on Thursday (October 29), the bodies will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:05 AM aboard Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG 336.

The fire broke out at a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh on August 9, killing 16 Bangladeshi workers. Nine bodies were sent home on August 27.

The five victims from Naogaon have been identified as Shahin, Hasibul Hasan Shuvo, Minhaj Pramanik, Masidul Sardar Sajib and Sagar Ali. Four were from Atrai upazila and one from Naogaon Sadar.

Atrai Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Moniruzzaman said the administration was maintaining contact with the victims’ families and coordinating with the Wage Earners' Welfare Board to bring the bodies home.

-AJM