Funeral prayers were held at Molla Azad Memorial Government College field in Atrai, Naogaon, for seven Bangladeshis killed in a fire at a sofa factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bodies arrived in Atrai late Friday night and were handed over to their families after the prayers, organised by the upazila administration. Eleven of the 16 Bangladeshis reported killed in the incident were residents of Atrai upazila.

Naogaon-6 lawmaker Sheikh Rezaul Islam Rezu, District Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam, Additional Superintendent of Police Moniruzzaman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Moniruzzaman and local political leaders attended the funeral prayers. Large numbers of worshippers, officials, political representatives and media workers were also present.

Rezu said he was deeply saddened by the deaths of 11 people from his constituency and had worked to bring their bodies home through contacts with the foreign ministry and the Saudi embassy. He said efforts were continuing to return the remaining bodies. The UNO said administrative formalities had delayed the return of the others and that the administration was maintaining constant contact with the bereaved families and providing assistance.