Cox’s Bazar Resort Fire Kills 10, Six Victims Identified

The death toll from a fire at a wooden resort on Patowar Tek Beach in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, has risen to 10. The fire broke out at around 7:30am on Saturday, and rescue operations are still underway as authorities fear more bodies may remain inside.

Syed Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service, confirmed the recovery of 10 bodies to Prothom Alo at 2:15pm on Saturday. He said more bodies might be found as the rescue operation continued.

The identities of six of the 10 victims have been confirmed. They are Israt Jahan Maliha, 30, and Milita Mehezabin Alvi, 23, from Banasree in Dhaka; Laila Jahan Nabila, 27, and Nafista Mim, 27, from Khilgaon; Fariha Kabir, 33, from Chuadanga; and five-year-old Faizan Ahmed.

Subaktagin Mahmud Sohel, resident medical officer (RMO) at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, confirmed their identities.

Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Panna Akter told Prothom Alo that the identities of the four other victims could not yet be established because their bodies had been severely burnt. DNA testing will be conducted to identify them, she said.

Six people injured in the fire are receiving treatment at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital. They are Dr Shihab Uddin, 31, a physician at Mugda Medical College Hospital; his wife Nafiza Newaz Khan, 29; Mannan, 34; Meherunnesa, 30; Masud, 30; and Samida, 32.

Local residents said the fire broke out at around 7:30am at the resort beside the Marine Drive road. Fire Service personnel reached the scene after receiving the alert, while local residents later joined efforts to control the fire and conduct rescue operations with police assistance.

Firefighters were seen continuing rescue operations at the scene, where police were also present. The immediate cause of the fire was not known.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan told Prothom Alo that authorities suspected the fire had originated from a stove in the resort’s kitchen.

A five-member investigation committee has been formed, headed by the additional deputy commissioner for general administration, to investigate the cause of the fire.