The death toll from a fire at TupTup Restro and Resort in Inani, Ukhiya, in Cox’s Bazar rose to 10 on Saturday, with rescuers recovering four more bodies from the resort’s toilets.
Seven others were injured in the fire and were receiving treatment at hospitals. Eight of the deceased were reportedly members of the same family.
The fire broke out at the wooden resort near Patowartek beach along Marine Drive at around 7:00 am on Saturday. Three Fire Service units brought the blaze under control after several hours of efforts. The fire completely destroyed the resort.
The deceased were identified as Israt Jahan Maliha, 30, of Banasree in Dhaka; Milita Mehezabin Alvi, 23; Laila Jahan Nabila, 27, and Nafista Mim, 27, both from Khilgaon in Dhaka; Fariha Kabir, 33, from Chuadanga; five-year-old Faizan Ahmed; and Nasrin Akter Mukta, 29. The death of Nasrin was confirmed after the initial report of six fatalities.
The injured were identified as physician Shihab Uddin, 31; his wife Nafiza Newaz Khan, 29; Mannan, 34; Meherunnesa, 30; Masud, 30; and Samida, 32.
They were taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment.
Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner Mohammad A Mannan said six people had initially been confirmed dead and six injured, adding that a five-member committee had been formed to investigate the incident. The death toll later rose to seven.
Residential medical officer at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital Subuktogin Mahmud Sohel said five of the injured had sustained burns covering around 5 per cent of their bodies and had been admitted to the hospital. The sixth person was injured in a fall and, he said, was discharged after receiving primary treatment.
Police sources said the resort had nine rooms. Tourists in three rooms checked out on Friday night, while 16 people stayed in the remaining six rooms. Preliminary information suggested that five to six of them were outside the resort in the morning for various purposes.
Atiqur Rahman, the officer in charge of the Ukhiya police station, said firefighters completely extinguished the fire around 11:00 am on Saturday. He added that investigators were examining the cause, and details would be known after the inquiry.
Resort manager Mohammad Sumon said they suspected that an electrical short circuit had triggered the fire. Staff tried to extinguish the flames immediately after they broke out, but the fire spread rapidly after the air conditioners and cylinders exploded, he said.
Local residents said they heard a loud bang from the resort at around 7:00 am, shortly before the fire engulfed the building. Three Fire Service units arrived after being informed and began firefighting and rescue operations. Firefighters brought the fire under control around 11:00 am after several hours of effort.
Members of the Fire Service, police, Border Guard Bangladesh and SRB took part in the rescue operation.
Police and local sources said the resort had nine rooms. It is located about 29 kilometres from Kolatoli in Cox’s Bazar town. The fire destroyed the entire structure, causing extensive damage.
Meanwhile, a five-member committee led by Cox’s Bazar’s additional district magistrate has been formed to investigate the incident. The committee will examine the fire’s cause, the reasons behind the deaths, and the resort’s safety arrangements to determine the circumstances and any possible responsibility.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Rahim Uddin
