Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday expressed deep shock at the deaths of 16 Bangladeshi nationals in a tragic factory fire in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In a message of condolence, the prime minister expressed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and assured them of providing necessary support during this time of irreparable loss and grief.

The premier is continuously enquiring about the development of the incident and bringing the bodies of the victims back home through coordinated efforts of the ministries of foreign affairs and expatriate welfare and oversees employment and the Bangladesh mission in Riyadh, said Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly.

“The Prime Minister directed the ministries concerned to take coordinated measurers to bring the bodies of the victims back home at the earliest. All necessary cooperation would be provided from the Prime Minister’s Office to this end,” Shibly said quoting the premier.

A total of 16 Bangladeshis lost their lives in a devastating fire that broke out at a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh on Sunday.