At least 16 Bangladeshi workers were killed in a devastating fire at a sofa factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, with half dying from burns and the others from suffocation, according to Bangladeshi authorities.

One Bangladeshi worker escaped the disaster because he was away from the factory at the time, having gone to a barber shop for a haircut.

The fire broke out around noon on Sunday, August 9, at the sofa manufacturing facility in the Saudi capital.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, citing the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, said Saudi fire service rescuers reported 16 deaths at the scene.

Eight of the victims died from burns while eight others died from suffocation.

The ministry initially said identifying the bodies was difficult because of the severity of the fire. Local officials and relatives had earlier reported a possible death toll of 17, before Bangladeshi authorities put the confirmed figure at 16.

Ten of the victims were from Atrai upazila in Naogaon district, while at least three others were from Naldanga upazila in neighbouring Natore.

The 10 victims from Atrai were identified as Sagar, 31, and Majidul, 34, of Bisha village; Farid Sheikh, 32, of Udanpai village; Sumon, 35, and Hasibul Hasan, 27, of Dubai village; Mohun Pramanik, 42, Sumon Pramanik, Rubel Hossain, 30, and Koli Pramanik, 35, of Gondogohali village; and Abdul Jalil, 38, of Parkasunda village.

Atrai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Moniruzzaman told Daily Waadaa that local authorities initially received information about seven deaths before learning that 10 people from the upazila had been killed.

Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam also confirmed receiving information about the deaths of 10 residents of the district.

Three other victims were from the Khajura area of Naldanga in Natore, according to Khajura Union Parishad Chairman Md Sohrab Hossain, who cited information received from their families.

They were identified as Sabbir Hossain Sohag, son of Golam Rabbani of Khajura Sripurpara; Shamim Hossain, son of Zaker Hossain of Dighir Par; and Rabiul Awal Hridoy, son of Aslam Ali of Mahishdanga.

Bangladesh Embassy officials went to the site soon after receiving news of the fire, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The embassy is coordinating with Saudi authorities to identify the victims and complete the formalities required for the repatriation of their bodies.

The Foreign Ministry said it was monitoring the situation around the clock and providing necessary assistance.

Bangladesh’s foreign minister and state minister for foreign affairs expressed profound grief over the deaths and extended condolences to the victims’ families, assuring them of support.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury also expressed grief over the deaths, describing the loss of the migrant workers as “deeply heartbreaking.”

“Their contribution to the country’s economy is immense,” the minister said.

He said officials had been instructed to expedite the repatriation of the bodies and ensure that the victims’ families receive necessary government assistance and compensation.