RIYADH: At least 16 people were killed in a devastating fire at a sofa manufacturing factory in the Musa Sanaya Industrial Area of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with all the victims reportedly being Bangladeshi nationals.
According to sources, the fire broke out at around 2pm local time on Sunday at a sofa manufacturing facility located within the jurisdiction of the Shifa Police Station. Emergency services were alerted immediately, following which Riyadh Fire Service personnel reached the scene and launched rescue and firefighting operations.
A consular official at the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, citing eyewitness accounts, confirmed that all those who died in the incident were Bangladeshi citizens. An official from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment also confirmed the death toll of 16.
Sources said 10 of the deceased were from Naogaon district of Bangladesh, while six belonged to the Naldanga area of Natore district.
Local eyewitnesses said the fire was extremely intense and caused severe burns to the victims, making identification of some of the bodies difficult. Emergency personnel continued rescue and other necessary operations at the site following the incident.
The cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed, while authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blaze and determine how it started.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and said its diplomatic officials were present at the site. Embassy representatives are maintaining close contact with Saudi authorities to assist with the identification of the deceased and complete other necessary procedures.
