Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh): A devastating fire at a beach resort in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district claimed 10 lives on Saturday morning, October 17, with six members of the same family reportedly among those killed. The victims included a five-year-old child, while several other people sustained injuries in the blaze.
The fire broke out at around 6:30 am at the TupTup Resto and Resort in the Inani area. The three-storey building, constructed mainly from bamboo and wood, was engulfed by flames and was reportedly destroyed completely.
Fire department spokesperson Talha Bin Jasim confirmed the deaths at around 1:30 pm, according to the information provided by local media. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Six Members Of One Family Among The Victims
Local media reports identified six of the victims as Israt Jahan Maliha, 30; Milita Mahjabin Alvi, 23; Laila Jahan Nabila, 27; Nafista Mim, 27; Fariha Kabir, 33; and five-year-old Faizan Ahmed. They were reported to be members of the same family.
The tragedy also left another family member, Ashiqul Islam, injured. According to reports, he managed to escape by jumping from the resort’s second floor. His wife and five other family members were among those who died.
The incident has raised questions about the safety of the resort and the challenges faced by people attempting to escape a fast-spreading fire in a building made largely of combustible materials.
The precise circumstances in which each victim became trapped or was unable to escape have not yet been established in the information available.
Fire Engulfs Three-Storey Resort
The blaze began at the TupTup Resto and Resort in Inani, near the coastal tourist destination of Cox’s Bazar. The property is located around 29 kilometres from Kolatoli, near the entrance to the coastal city.
Deputy Assistant Director of the Cox’s Bazar Fire Department Syed Mohammad Morshed Hossain said the fire destroyed the entire building.
Around 30 people were reportedly inside the resort when the fire broke out. Four to five people managed to escape, while the whereabouts and condition of others were initially unclear as emergency personnel responded to the incident.
The building’s bamboo and wooden construction may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, although authorities have not officially confirmed the cause of the fire.
Injured Taken To Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital
Those injured in the incident were taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment.
The hospital’s Resident Medical Officer, Sabuktagin Mahmud Sohel, said five injured people had burns covering approximately five per cent of their bodies. They were admitted to the hospital. Another person suffered injuries after falling and was discharged after receiving first aid.
Deputy Commissioner A. Mannan said six bodies had been recovered at the time of his statement. Authorities planned to collect DNA samples before handing over the remains to the victims’ families to help establish their identities.
The difference between the reported death toll and the number of bodies recovered indicates that identification and recovery efforts were still an important part of the response.
Cause Of Bangladesh Resort Fire Under Investigation
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Some people reportedly suspected that it may have started in the resort’s kitchen, but this has not been officially confirmed.
Deputy Commissioner A. Mannan said the fire department was investigating the incident. Authorities are expected to determine how the blaze began and what circumstances contributed to the destruction of the resort.
The investigation will also be important in establishing the full sequence of events, including how many people were inside the building when the fire started and how the occupants attempted to escape.
For the families of the victims, the immediate priority remains identifying and receiving the remains of their loved ones. Further official details about the cause of the fire and the final toll are awaited.
