Bangladesh death toll in Saudi factory fire rises to 17

The death toll among Bangladeshi workers killed in a factory fire in Saudi Arabia has risen to at least 17, up from seven previously reported, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday.

The fire broke out Sunday night at a sofa factory in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The ministry said the Bangladeshi workers died from burn injuries.

Foreign minister Khalilur Rahman and state minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed Islam expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said the government would stand by them.

Bangladesh Embassy officials in Riyadh went to the scene and local hospitals after learning of the fire.

The embassy is working with Saudi authorities to confirm the victims’ identities, complete required documentation and arrange the repatriation of the bodies. The ministry said it was monitoring the situation around the clock.