Families of 16 Bangladeshis killed in fire in Saudi Arabia to receive special grant

It has been decided to provide a one-time special humanitarian grant to the families of 16 Bangladeshi expatriates killed in a fire at a sofa factory in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. The initiative to provide this assistance has been taken on the special instructions of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Various decisions were taken at a high-level inter-ministerial coordination meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (August 10) regarding bringing the bodies of the deceased to the country and providing necessary assistance to their relatives.

The meeting was attended by the Foreign Secretary, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, representative of the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, officials of the Special Branch of the Police, Wage Earners' Welfare Board, BMET, Bangladesh Biman and other relevant departments.

Initiatives to quickly identify bodies

Deep shock was expressed at the meeting over the death of 16 Bangladeshis in a fire in Saudi Arabia. The importance of quickly identifying the deceased and bringing back the bodies has been given.

The Bangladesh Embassy has been tasked with coordinating with the Saudi authorities and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment to quickly complete the identification process.

After the identification, the necessary formalities of the Saudi authorities will be completed and the bodies will be brought back to the country under government management and expense.

The families will receive special humanitarian assistance

As per the Prime Minister's instructions, it has been decided to provide a one-time special humanitarian grant to each family of the 16 Bangladeshis killed in the fire.

Earlier, the concerned district administration officials have contacted the families of the deceased. Each family has been given 20,000 taka as immediate assistance.

In addition, the Bangladesh Embassy and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment are in regular contact with the families of the deceased.

Terrible fire in factory in Riyadh

Last Sunday (August 9), a fire broke out in a sofa-making factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 16 Bangladeshi expatriates lost their lives.

After the incident, the Bangladesh government took the initiative to identify the victims, repatriate the bodies, and stand by the affected families.

Government agencies say that further activities are being taken forward in coordination with Saudi authorities to ensure the necessary assistance to the families of the victims.