Fire at Saudi sofa factory kills 16 Bangladeshi workers

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Monday confirming the deaths of 16 Bangladeshi nationals in a fire that broke out at a sofa‑manufacturing factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, when a blaze engulfed the workshop, trapping workers inside.

According to the ministry, the factory employed a large number of Bangladeshi expatriates who were working in the furniture‑production sector. Preliminary reports from Saudi authorities indicate that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in the plant’s electrical system, though investigations are still underway. The incident has prompted a review of workplace safety standards for foreign‑owned manufacturing facilities in the region.

The Bangladeshi government has called for a thorough investigation and has offered assistance to the families of the victims. The tragedy underscores the risks faced by migrant workers in overseas factories and highlights the need for stricter enforcement of fire‑safety regulations.