Death Toll Rises to 10 in Fire at Cox’s Bazar Resort, Six Injured

At least 10 bodies have been recovered following a fire at a resort and restaurant in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, the Fire Service has said. Six injured people have been taken to hospital, while rescue operations are still underway.

The fire broke out at Tuptup Resto and Resort, located beside the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive road, at around 7:15am on Saturday (October 17). The resort is approximately 40 kilometres from Cox’s Bazar town. Talha Bin Jasim, an official at the Fire Service media cell, confirmed the recovery of the bodies.

Syed Mohammad Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of Cox’s Bazar Fire Service, said they received information about the fire at around 7:23am. Firefighters reached the scene at around 8am and began efforts to extinguish the blaze, which was brought under control at around 8:15am.

Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Panna Akter said rescue operations were continuing at the scene and six people had so far been taken to hospital with injuries. Citing two people who were staying at the resort, the UNO said they survived because they had gone outside for a walk when the fire broke out.

Panna Akter said officials were at the scene gathering preliminary information, making it too early to confirm all the details of the incident. Preparations were also underway to form an investigation committee.

Citing local residents, she said authorities had received information that around 20 people were staying at the resort on Friday night, two of whom had checked out and left.

“We are receiving information that around 18 people may have been staying there,” she said. She added that officials were trying to contact the resort’s owners to determine the exact number of people staying there and establish their identities.