Bangladesh resort fire kills 10 after safety warning

At least 10 people were killed when a fire destroyed Tuptup Resto and Resort in Ukhiya, in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district, on Saturday, October 17. Six of those killed belonged to one family. India Today, citing Bangladeshi news outlets and officials, reported that the resort had no fire-safety licence and had been warned after an inspection in June.

The blaze began at about 7.25 am local time and gutted the three-storey seaside property, which was constructed largely from bamboo and wood. The Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters confirmed that 10 bodies had been recovered, according to The Daily Star.

Nine injured people were taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, bdnews24 reported. Five were still receiving treatment for burns covering about 5 per cent of their bodies, while four had been discharged.

Six relatives killed; survivor jumped from second floor

Ashiqul Islam, who was staying at the resort with his family, survived by jumping from the second floor, Prothom Alo reported. Citing his brother, the newspaper said Islam’s wife, Israt Jahan Maliha, and five other family members died.

The six were identified as Maliha, 30; Milita Mehezabien Alvi, 23; Laila Jahan Nabila, 27; Nafista Meem, 27; Fariha Kabir, 33; and five-year-old Faizan Ahmed. The other four people killed had not yet been identified.

June warning and cause under investigation

Fire Service and Civil Defence Director Sultanul Afreen Junaid said the resort lacked a fire-safety licence and had received a warning following the June inspection, according to local media reports.

Around 30 people were reportedly at the property when the fire began. The Dhaka Tribune reported that four or five people escaped, but the whereabouts and condition of others remained unclear. These early accounts did not establish a complete tally of everyone at the resort.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner A Mannan said investigators were examining the cause. Although there was suspicion that the blaze started in the kitchen, he said its origin could be determined only after the investigation was completed.