Shyamal Uddin Majhi, 46, a resident of Bagmara upazila of Rajshahi who was killed in a fire in a sofa factory in Saudi Arabia, was laid to eternal rest at his family graveyard after a namaz-e-janaza.

The janaza was held at his village home in Morugram Dangapara under Jhikra union around 11:00am, with a large number of relatives, neighbours and local residents attending.

Shyamal’s body reached his home around 3:00am, eight years after he had left Bangladesh for Saudi Arabia in search of a better life for his family.

His wife, three daughters, relatives and neighbours broke down in tears when the coffin arrived, creating a deeply mournful atmosphere at the house.

Family members had been waiting for Shyamal to return home after eight years in Saudi Arabia. However, instead of returning alive as they had hoped, he came back in a coffin.

Shyamal had been working in the sofa factory in Riyadh. He was among 16 Bangladeshi workers killed in a devastating fire at the factory on August 9.

According to family members, Shyamal had been preparing to return home and had told his family during their last conversation that he would come back soon.

His wife and three daughters had been eagerly waiting for his return. That wait ended on Friday, but with his lifeless body.

Shyamal was the sole earning member of his family, and his death has left his wife and three daughters facing an uncertain future.

Family members appealed to the Prime Minister and local public representatives for necessary support to help secure the future of the family and make them financially self-reliant.

Former Jhikra Union Parishad Chairman and BNP leader Saiduzzaman expressed gratitude to the government for arranging the repatriation of Shyamal’s body within a short time.

He also called for government financial assistance for the bereaved family.