The government will bear the cost of bringing home the bodies of two Bangladeshis killed in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Sunday.
Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the afternoon, she said four other Bangladeshis injured in Saturday’s attack were receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICUs).
Shama confirmed the deaths of the two Bangladeshi nationals and said the government would cover the expenses of repatriating their bodies.
Earlier, Bangladesh strongly condemned the attack on Riyadh airport on 10 October, which left two Bangladeshis dead and several others injured, some critically.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Bangladesh mission in Riyadh was in contact with Saudi authorities to obtain details of the dead and injured and provide necessary assistance to those affected.
The government expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a swift and full recovery.
“Attacks endangering civilian lives and targeting civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and must cease immediately,” the ministry said.
Bangladesh also reaffirmed its solidarity with the government and people of Saudi Arabia following the attack.
Amid the ongoing crisis, Bangladesh called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy to safeguard regional peace, security and stability.
Shama said they have already lost 14 Bangladeshis in recent days due to this Middle East conflict. “Naturally, this is a matter of profound sorrow,” she said, expressing deep condolences over the deaths.
She reiterated that the safety, security and well-being of expatriate Bangladeshis has been the government’s top priority since it assumed office.
Regarding the repatriation of the deceased, Shama Obaed said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment are working jointly to provide all necessary support to the affected families.
She said the government routinely bears the expenses of repatriating the remains of Bangladeshi citizens who die abroad, and the same arrangement would apply in this case.
The State Minister also said flights to and from Riyadh have been suspended following the incident as a precautionary measure.
However, she said the government has received no information indicating that any specific Bangladeshi airline or flight has been damaged or directly affected by the attack.
The suspension was likely imposed immediately after news of the attack emerged to ensure passenger safety, she added.
Bangladesh, earlier, strongly and unequivocally condemned the deadly Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 10 October 2026, which resulted in casualties, including the tragic loss of two Bangladeshi nationals, and left numerous others injured, many of them critically.
Bangladesh mission in Riyadh is in contact with the Saudi authorities to obtain details of the deceased and injured Bangladeshis and to facilitate necessary assistance to those affected, according to UNB.
Bangladesh extended its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, including the families of the Bangladeshi victims, and prays for the swift and full recovery of all those injured.
“Attacks endangering civilian lives and targeting civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and must cease immediately,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
Bangladesh reiterated its firm solidarity with the government and the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of this attack.
Bangladesh called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and a peaceful resolution of the ongoing crisis through dialogue and diplomacy, in the interest of regional peace, security and stability.
