At least five people have died in a devastating fire at a resort in Inani, Ukhiya, in Cox’s Bazar. The blaze broke out at Tuptup Resort near Patuartek Beach along the Marine Drive on Saturday morning, 17 October. The fire caused extensive damage to the property, and authorities fear the death toll could rise.
According to Fire Service sources, the fire started at around 7am. Emergency services were alerted, and firefighters arrived at the scene to tackle the blaze. Three Fire Service units began working to extinguish the flames at around 8am. After nearly two hours of efforts, the fire was brought under control at around 10am, allowing rescue operations to begin inside the resort.
Dolon Acharya, a senior Fire Service official, confirmed that five bodies had been recovered from the scene. The victims are initially believed to be tourists, although their identities had not been established at the time of reporting.
Atikur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Ukhiya Police Station, said there were concerns that more people might have died in the incident. However, he noted that it would take time to establish the exact number of fatalities.
Although the fire has been brought under control, rescue workers are searching the damaged building to determine whether anyone else remains trapped inside. The final number of casualties may not be known until the search is completed.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that members of the resort’s management left the scene following the fire. The circumstances surrounding their departure have not been clarified, and no further details were immediately available.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities have yet to provide detailed information about how the blaze started, the total extent of the damage or whether the resort had adequate fire safety arrangements.
Fire safety is particularly important at tourist accommodation facilities, where guests may be unfamiliar with the building’s layout and emergency exits. Clearly marked evacuation routes, functioning fire alarms and accessible firefighting equipment can help people escape safely during an emergency. However, the condition of these facilities at Tuptup Resort has not yet been confirmed.
The immediate priority is to establish whether anyone else is missing or trapped inside the resort and to identify those who have died. Further information about the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage is expected as rescue operations progress and the relevant authorities provide updates.
