Cox's Bazar resort fire kills 10 in Bangladesh
Nine others were injured after a early-morning blaze destroyed a wooden and bamboo resort along Marine Drive.
What happened at Cox's Bazar
A fire swept through a seaside resort in the south-eastern Bangladeshi district of Cox's Bazar on Saturday morning, killing at least 10 people and injuring nine others.
The blaze broke out around 6:30 a.m. at the TUPTUP Resto and Resort, located in the Inani area near Patuartek Beach along Marine Drive. The three-storey resort, constructed mainly of bamboo and timber, was completely gutted by the fire.
Local authorities said approximately 30 people were inside the building when the fire started. Four to five guests managed to escape as the flames spread, while emergency services confirmed the death toll later in the afternoon.
Victims and rescue response
Rescue teams have recovered six bodies from the site so far. Local authorities confirmed that DNA samples will be collected from the remains to complete formal identification before handing them over to relatives.
Nine injured people were taken to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital. Hospital officials confirmed that five patients were admitted with burn injuries covering around five per cent of their bodies. Another person was treated for injuries caused by a fall during the evacuation and subsequently discharged.
| Casualty category | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total estimated occupants | Around 30 guests and staff | Police and local officials |
| Confirmed fatalities | 10 killed (6 bodies recovered) | Fire Service & Deputy Commissioner |
| Escaped uninjured | 4 to 5 people | Local authorities |
| Hospitalised with burns | 5 patients (5% burns) | Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital |
| Discharged after first aid | 1 patient (fall injury) | Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital |
Investigation into the cause
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Fire officials noted that the structure was built predominantly from combustible materials, which accelerated the fire's spread.
While local residents suspected that the fire might have started in the resort's kitchen, emergency service officers said no cause can be formally established until technical teams finish examining the site.
The property is situated about 29 kilometres from Kolatoli, near the main entrance to the beach area.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total deaths confirmed | 10 | Fire Service spokesman Talha Bin Zasim |
| Bodies recovered so far | 6 | Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner A Mannan |
| Burn patients admitted | 5 | Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital resident medical officer Sabuktagin Mahmud Sohel |
| Estimated resort occupants | 30 | Local official reports |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Cox's Bazar | The Bangladeshi district where the seaside resort fire took place. |
| TUPTUP Resto and Resort | The three-storey wooden resort gutted by the fire. |
