Rajshahi, July 7  Among the four Bangladeshis killed in a sofa factory fire in Saudi Arabia last Wednesday (July 3), one of the victims was Saidur Rahman Sardar (52) from Bagmara, Rajshahi.
 
He was the son of Meher Sardar from Baruihati Rasulpur village, Yogipara Union, in Bagmara Upazila. Since receiving the news of his death, Saidur's family has been in constant mourning. The family is unsure how to bring the body back to Bangladesh.
 
On Sunday morning, this scene was witnessed at his home in Baruihati village. Villagers, neighbors, and relatives gathered at the house. Saidur Rahman's family and locals have urgently called for the body to be returned to Bangladesh.
 
The family members said that two years ago, driven by poverty and the hope of changing his fate, Saidur Rahman went to Saudi Arabia to work as a laborer. He worked in a sofa factory in the Musasanaiya area of Riyadh.
 
Several other workers from Atrai Upazila in Naogaon also worked at the same factory. Saidur Rahman's son, Abu Bakkar, reported that on Tuesday, Saidur and 16 other workers were working at the factory when it suddenly caught fire. While 11 workers managed to escape, Saidur and three others could not get out and were burned to death. Babul Hossain, a surviving worker from Atrai, informed Saidur's family about the incident over the phone on Wednesday.
 
Babul also suffered minor burns in the incident. In the fire, four of their companions were killed. The news of his father's death left Abu Bakkar (15) speechless. Similarly, his elderly grandfather, Meher Ali Sardar, fainted upon hearing the news of his son's death.
 
After his mother's death two years ago, Abu Bakkar relied on his father for support. Now, he has lost that too. Neighbors are trying to console him as he prepares to take his secondary school exams next year.
 
In their grief, the family is seeking help from everyone to bring the body back for burial. The elderly father is also in shock and has been behaving abnormally since receiving the news of his son's death.
 
Mazedor Rahman, Chairman of the Yogipara Union Parishad, said he is aware of the situation and will make every effort to bring the body back to the country.
 
Additionally, Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mahabubul Islam stated that all necessary assistance would be provided to bring the body back and that the government will offer any available support.
 
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