10 Killed, Including a Child, and 6 Injured in Cox’s Bazar Resort Fire

At least 10 people, including a young child, were killed and six others injured in a fire at a resort near Inani Beach in Cox’s Bazar district, Bangladesh, according to Bangladeshi news sources.

The fire broke out on the morning of Saturday, October 17, at Tuptup Resto & Resort in the Patuartek area. The blaze reportedly destroyed almost the entire resort building.

The fire service received the report of the incident at around 7:25 a.m. Firefighters subsequently launched firefighting and rescue operations. The fire was brought under control by around 11 a.m., and the bodies of 10 victims were recovered from the site.

University students from the University of Dhaka, Jagannath University, and East West University were among those killed in the incident.

Six of the deceased reportedly belonged to the same family. The victims included university students and a five-year-old child. The family had travelled to Cox’s Bazar for a holiday when the tragedy occurred.

As the bodies were severely burned, authorities were unable to immediately identify all the victims. Bangladeshi media reports stated that DNA testing was being planned to identify those whose identities had not yet been confirmed.

The Tuptup Resto & Resort, where the fire broke out, had reportedly been operating without the necessary fire safety clearance, according to Bangladesh’s Fire Service and Civil Defence Department.

According to the fire service, the resort was inspected in June this year and issued a warning over fire safety concerns. However, it continued operating despite the warning.

Authorities also stated that the resort lacked adequate fire safety measures, including fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, and other essential fire prevention equipment.

The use of wood and other highly flammable materials in the building reportedly contributed to the rapid spread of the fire after it broke out.

In connection with the incident, police arrested the resort’s manager, Mohammad Sumon, on the evening of October 17.

Police have also stated that they are preparing to file a case in connection with the incident. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been officially determined, and authorities are continuing their investigation.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the importance of enforcing fire safety regulations and ensuring adequate emergency response measures in the Cox’s Bazar coastal area, a popular destination for tourists.

Source: The Daily Star, bdnews24.com, Prothom Alo, TBS, UNB