United News of Bangladesh

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.

A joint namaz-e-janaza was held on Friday for seven victims of the Riyadh sofa factory fire who hailed from Naogaon district. The janaza was held at the Molla Azad Memorial College ground in Atrai upazila around 10:15am. The bodies were later handed over to the families of the deceased, who took them to their respective villages for burial.Earlier, the bodies of nine Bangladeshi nationals who died in the Saudi Arabia fire arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around 4:00pm on Thursday. Seven of the deceased were from Atrai upazila of Naogaon. At least 16 Bangladeshis were killed in a fire at a sofa factory in Saudi Arabia on August 9. With assistance from the local administration, the bodies were taken to Atrai around 1:30am on Friday. The bodies, kept in hearses, remained on the Atrai Police Station premises until morning. The deceased were identified as Md Farid, son of Moin Uddin of Udonpai village; Rubel Pramanik, son of Saidur Rahman; Mohan Ali; Sumon Ali; Kalimuddin, son of Bazlur Rahman; Sohel Rana, son of Badal Tarafdar of Dubai village; and Abdul Jalil Sardar, son of Tamez Uddin Sardar of Parkasunda village. Naogaon-6 MP Sk Md Rejaul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Saiful Islam, Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Monirul Islam, Atrai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Moniruzzaman, Officer-in-Charge of Atrai Police Station Mahbub Alam and local residents attended the janaza. After the prayer, the bodies were handed over to the relatives, who left for their respective villages. Naogaon-6 MP Rejaul said the families of the deceased had received assistance from the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board. “The government will continue to support the families. The process of bringing the remaining bodies back to the country is also underway,” he said.

Seven workers, including six Bangladeshis, were killed in a fire that broke out at a sofa factory at Heraj Market adjacent to Al Khalil road of Medina city early Wednesday.