Bodies of Bangladeshis killed in Oman accident likely to return home this week
Omani authorities have collected fingerprints of the deceased, and once the police report and final identification documents are received, likely by tomorrow or the day after, the repatriation process will begin
The bodies of seven Bangladeshi expatriates who were killed in a road accident in Oman on Wednesday (8 October), are expected to be brought back to Bangladesh within this week.
The Omani authorities have collected fingerprints of the deceased, and once the police report and final identification documents are received, likely by tomorrow (12 October) or the day after, the repatriation process will begin, Labour Counsellor at the Bangladesh Embassy in Oman Md Rafiul Islam told The Business Standard over the phone yesterday evening (10 October).
On 8 October around 4pm, seven Bangladeshi nationals were killed in a road accident in Duqm Sidda, Oman. All of them were from Sandwip Upazila in Chattogram. They died in the accident while on their way to the sea for fishing.
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The victims — all residents of Sarikait union in Sandwip — died when a vehicle carrying them overturned in the Dukum Sidra area of Oman in the evening (Bangladesh time), according to Sandwip Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mongchinu Marma.
Six of the deceased were identified as Md Amin Soudagar, son of Ali Akbar Serang; Arju, son of Shahid Ullah; Mohammad Bablu, son of Monu Mia; Sahab Uddin, son of Siddiq Ahmed; Mohammad Rocky, son of Ibrahim Mistri; and Jewel, son of Jamal Uddin.
In order to claim compensation, the families must legally authorise the embassy to handle the case on their behalf
Labour Counsellor Rafiul told TBS, "On Thursday, the Omani authorities collected the fingerprints of the bodies, which have been used for identification. We expect to receive the identification papers by Sunday or Monday. We have already coordinated with Biman Bangladesh Airlines to keep a cargo flight ready. All necessary preparations are underway on our end to ensure the bodies can be sent home as soon as possible."
He also mentioned that cooperation from the victims' families is essential to secure compensation from the Omani authorities.
"In order to claim compensation, the families must legally authorise the embassy to handle the case on their behalf, since the deaths occurred in an accident. Initially, it appears they were not at fault. Each family is likely to receive around 15,000 Omani Riyals, which is approximately Tk48 lakh," he said.
"However," he said, "families sometimes unknowingly assign power of attorney to other expatriates or multiple individuals, who then collect the compensation and do not hand it over to the victims' families. In such cases, the embassy has no authority to intervene."
