DHAKA – At least 16 Bangladeshi nationals have been killed in a devastating fire in Saudi Arabia, a ministry notification said in Dhaka on Monday.

According to the notification issued by the country's Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, the fire broke out at a sofa factory in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, killing 16 people on the spot.

The notification quoted witnesses as saying all the victims were from Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Bangladesh embassy officials in Riyadh are working in close coordination with relevant Saudi authorities to identify the deceased and complete necessary formalities concerning the bodies.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday expressed deep grief over the tragic death of the Bangladeshi nationals.