Kaliganj migrant dies in Madrid fire two months after arriving

KALIGANJ, GAZIPUR, Sept 3: A 27-year-old Bangladeshi migrant from Kaliganj died in a fire at a bicycle garage in Madrid on August 30, just two days after receiving his work permit.

Yousuf Hasan Alif, son of Abdul Motaleb and Rahima Khatun of Uttar Gaon under Kaliganj municipality, had gone to Spain in June hoping to improve his family's financial condition. He was working as a food delivery rider.

The fire broke out around 7:37pm local time at a bicycle garage in Madrid's Arganzuela district.

According to relatives and local sources, Yousuf had gone there to collect his bicycle used for food deliveries. An electric bicycle battery reportedly exploded, quickly spreading fire and thick smoke through the garage.

Yousuf and two colleagues became trapped inside. In a WhatsApp group, he sent a final message to his colleagues, saying, “Save us, brother. We can hardly breathe.”

Madrid City Council's fire service sent 13 units to the spot. Fire-fighters brought the blaze under control and removed toxic gases from the garage.

However, Yousuf was declared dead at the scene. His two colleagues suffered burn injuries and were admitted to a local hospital in a critical condition.

Yousuf had submitted the necessary documents for a work permit after arriving in Spain. He finally received the permit two days before the accident, according to his relatives.

His death has cast a pall of grief over his family in Kaliganj and the Bangladeshi community in Spain. His relatives are now waiting to bring his body home.

Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer ATM Kamrul Islam said the administration was aware of the incident.

“If the family seeks administrative assistance, we will contact the relevant ministry through the Gazipur deputy commissioner and take necessary steps,” he said.

Yousuf's maternal cousin and Barcelona-based Bangladeshi Shafiqul Islam Russel confirmed his death.