7 Bangladeshis Killed in Saudi Arabia Fire

Nine persons, including seven Bangladeshis has died in a fire incident at a furniture workshop in the commercial district of Al-Hofuf city in Saudi Arabia on Friday (14 July) evening.

The Bangladeshis were identified as Arif Md Sahadat, Barek Sardar, Md Shakil Pramanik, Saiful Islam, Ruman Pramanik, Md Firoz Sardar Ali and Md Rob Hussain.

Fakhrul Islam, first secretary of the Press Wing of Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, confirmed the matter.

Among the injured, two are undergoing treatment at the burn unit of King Fahd Hospital, he said, adding that the bodies have been kept at the hospital morgue.

The cause of the fire could not be known immediately, he said.

Fakhrul added that they are closely monitoring the situation and a team from the embassy is present at the spot.

Al-Hofuf is located around 350 kilometres from the capital Riyadh.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohammad Javed Patwary expressed deep shock over the incident.

Steps will be taken to send the bodies back to Bangladesh immediately after all legal procedures.