Md. Abdul Hakim, Natore

The mortal remains of Rabiul Islam, a native of Natore who died in the devastating fire at a sofa factory in Saudi Arabia, have been buried at his family graveyard following his janaza.

The funeral prayer was held on Friday morning at around 10:00 AM on the grounds of the Mohishdanga Baddhapara Government Primary School in Khajura Union under Naldanga upazila of Natore, after which he was laid to rest.

The bodies of nine identified victims from the tragic Saudi fire arrived in the country on Thursday afternoon around 4:00 PM. Among those whose identities were confirmed, Rabiul Islam hailed from Naldanga upazila in Natore, while seven others were from Atrai upazila in Naogaon, and one was from Bagmara upazila in Rajshahi. With the assistance of the administration, Rabiul's body was transported to his native village in Naldanga upazila late Thursday night.

Upon the arrival of the body at his home, the atmosphere turned heavy with the wailing and lamentations of grieving relatives. Upon hearing the news, neighbors and family members flocked to his house since nightfall to catch a final glimpse of him.

Relatives shared that Rabiul had flown to Saudi Arabia nearly five years ago by taking loans in pursuit of a better future. Due to a lack of valid papers for a prolonged period, he had to work covertly, securing legal documents after about three years. Although he managed to pay off a portion of his debts over the past year and a half, his family's loans remain largely unpaid. He had planned to clear his debts, build a home for his aging parents, and return to the country permanently after some time. Instead, he returned home lifeless.

The deceased Rabiul Islam was the son of Ashrafuzzaman of Mohishdanga village. While three expatriates from Naldanga upazila lost their lives in the Saudi factory fire, Rabiul's body was the first to arrive, while the bodies of the other two are yet to be repatriated.

Naldanga UNO Md. Al Imran Khan confirmed that Rabiul's body reached his home on Thursday night and was buried following a janaza on Friday morning. He also assured that processes are underway to verify, identify, and swiftly bring back the bodies of the other two victims from Naldanga who died in Saudi Arabia.