17 Bangladeshis Killed in Saudi Arabia Factory Fire

At least 17 Bangladeshis have reportedly died in a fire at a sofa manufacturing factory in Saudi Arabia, with 12 of the victims believed to be from Naogaon's Atrai upazila and five from Natore's Naldanga upazila.

The death toll could rise, according to local sources.

Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam confirmed the incident on Sunday night, saying he had learned that several Bangladeshis were killed in the factory fire. However, he said the number of victims from Naogaon and other districts had not yet been confirmed.

The deputy commissioner said the exact number of Bangladeshi casualties would likely be known by Monday morning.

Local residents said 12 of the reported victims were from several villages in Atrai, including Gondagohali, Dubai, Baithakhali, Khanjor, Parkasunda and Dighirpar, while five were from Khajura village in neighbouring Naldanga upazila of Natore.

Jaharul Islam, a resident of Mohonghosh village in Atrai who works at the same factory in Saudi Arabia and is currently on leave in Bangladesh, identified several of the reported victims.

They include Guffar Pramanik of Gondagohali village and his two sons, Mohun Pramanik and Suman Pramanik; Rubel Hossain, son of Jannar; Kali Pramanik, son of Fazlur; Farid Sheikh, son of Moyeen Sheikh of Udanpai village; Suman, son of the late Badal, from Dubai village; Hasibul Hasan Shuvo, son of Chanchal; Suman, son of the late Ruhul; and Jalil of Parkasunda village.

Authorities are continuing efforts to verify the identities of the victims and determine the final death toll.