Md. Abdul Hakim, Natore 

The bodies of two expatriate workers from Naldanga Upazila in Natore, who were killed in a devastating sofa factory fire in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were laid to rest at their respective family graveyards on Saturday following funeral prayers.

The bodies of Shamim Hossain, 34, son of Jaker Ali of Dighirpar village, and Sabbir Hossain, 27, son of Golam Rabbani of Sreepurpara in Khajura village, arrived at their ancestral homes via ambulance at around 3:30 pm on Saturday. Their arrival triggered emotional scenes as grieving family members and relatives gathered to pay their final respects.

Jaker Ali, father of the deceased Shamim, lamented that he had secured loans and sold land to send his son to Saudi Arabia in pursuit of a better future, only to receive his body back home. Meanwhile, family members of Sabbir alleged that beyond initial government assistance at the airport, they received no further support, noting that promised aid from local public representatives remains unfulfilled.

Khajura Union Parishad Chairman Sohrab Hossain confirmed that the bodies were handed over to the families at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka before being transported to their villages for funeral rites (Janazah) after Asr prayers. Naldanga Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shammi Akter stated that the burials have been completed and that local administration remains in communication with the bereaved families.

The fatal blaze occurred on August 9 at a sofa manufacturing plant in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, claiming the lives of 16 Bangladeshi workers. Identification of the victims was delayed due to severe burn injuries, requiring DNA sample matching from family members in Bangladesh to confirm identities. 

Earlier on August 27, the remains of another victim from Naldanga Upazila, Rabiul Awal Hridoy, 28, son of Aslam Ali of Mahishdanga village, were repatriated in the first phase. The remains of Shamim and Sabbir were sent home following the completion of legal procedures and DNA verification.