Naogaon Correspondent

Seven Bangladeshi expatriate workers from Atrai upazila of Naogaon district were killed in a devastating fire at a sofa manufacturing factory in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment confirmed the incident on Sunday night.

Although the identities of the victims were not immediately disclosed, local administration officials said four of the deceased were from Gondogohali village, two from Bisha village and one from Parkasunda village in Atrai upazila.

According to local sources, the victims had migrated to Saudi Arabia in search of employment and were working at a sofa manufacturing factory where the fire broke out. They were among those who lost their lives in the incident.

Atrai Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Moniruzzaman said information received so far indicates that seven residents of the upazila died in the fire. “Among them, four were from Gondogohali village, two from Bisha village and one from Parkasunda village. However, the information is still being verified and the death toll may rise,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the seven Bangladeshi workers.

In a condolence message, the ministry described the deaths as a tragic loss and acknowledged the significant contribution of expatriate workers to Bangladesh’s economy. It also conveyed sympathy to the bereaved families.

The ministry said the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia is maintaining regular communication with local authorities and officials concerned at the site of the incident. Necessary instructions have been issued to ensure the swift repatriation of the victims’ bodies and to facilitate government assistance and compensation for their families.