Selfie taken moments before Riyadh factory fire kills 16 Bangladeshi workers

A fire at a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh has killed 16 Bangladeshi workers, according to Bangladesh authorities.

A selfie showing some of the workers has gone viral on social media after it emerged that the photograph was taken shortly before the victims died in the blaze.

The workers were from Bangladesh’s Naogaon, Natore and Rajshahi areas, local media reported.

The fire broke out on Sunday at a sofa manufacturing facility in the industrial area of Al Shifa district in the Saudi capital, the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh said.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was “deeply shocked” by the deaths of the 16 nationals.

“There were no injuries reported; all those affected died,” the embassy said in a statement.

Bangladesh’s embassy is coordinating with Saudi authorities over the identification of the victims and arrangements to repatriate their bodies.

Minister for Expatriate Welfare Ariful Haque Chowdhury said there was “constant communication” with local authorities through the Bangladeshi embassy in Saudi Arabia.

“Officials have been instructed to ensure the speedy repatriation of the bodies of the deceased expatriates and to secure all necessary government assistance and compensation for their families,” he said.

The embassy said it remained in contact with the victims’ families and was working with Saudi authorities to complete victim identification and repatriation formalities.

“The necessary regulatory procedures were subsequently completed regarding the site,” it said in a statement posted on X.

The Bangladeshi government has pledged assistance and compensation to the bereaved families as efforts continue to bring the victims’ remains home.