At least 16 Bangladeshi nationals were killed in a fire at a sofa manufacturing factory in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry said in a statement issued early Monday.

The victims hailed from the districts of Naogaon, Natore, and Rajshahi, according to the ministry.

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury expressed deep shock and sorrow over the deaths, the statement said. He said the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia was maintaining round-the-clock contact with local authorities following the incident.

The minister instructed concerned officials to arrange for the bodies of the deceased to be brought back to Bangladesh as soon as possible and to ensure all necessary government assistance and compensation for their families.

He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved families, according to the ministry.

Separately, BSS reported that 10 of the victims were from Atrai upazila in Naogaon district. Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam confirmed their deaths, the news agency said.

According to BSS, those killed from Atrai upazila were identified as Koli, 30, and Lutfar, 32, Jandar and Rubel—all of Kalikapur Union; Sagar and Majidul of Bisha area; Shuvo and Suman of Dubai area; Jalal of Parkasunda village; and Md Farid Sheikh of Udanpaia village.

BSS quoted officials as saying the number of casualties may rise further.

The fire broke out at the factory in Khordam city, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, at around 3:30pm Bangladesh time on Sunday.