10 Killed in Devastating Fire at Inani Resort in Cox’s Bazar
A devastating fire broke out at the ‘Tup Tup Resto and Resort’ in Patuartek near Inani Beach, Cox’s Bazar, leaving at least 10 people dead, including women and children, and nine others injured. Fire Service personnel received the report around 7:15 AM on Saturday, rapidly responding to control the blaze and initiate rescue operations inside the gutted three-story structure. Rescuers recovered multiple severely burned bodies from the rooms, while two injured victims remain in critical condition. Authorities fear the final casualty count could rise further as search operations continue.
Between 18 and 23 tourists were residing in the resort when the disaster struck. Although a few managed to escape by breaking windows, many were trapped inside due to the rapid spread of the flames. Ukhiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Panna Akhtar noted that the fire might have originated from a ground-floor kitchen gas cylinder explosion, though formal investigations will determine the exact cause. Six deceased victims have been identified: Israt Jahan Maliha (30), Milita Mehejabin Alvi (23), Laila Jahan Nabila (27), Nafista Meem (27), Fariha Kabir (33), and five-year-old Faijan Ahammad.
While the exterior of the Marine Drive-adjacent building was made of concrete, the interior walls and flooring were heavily constructed of wood, significantly accelerating the catastrophic blaze. Brigadier General Sultanul Afreen Junaid, Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department, revealed that the resort lacked a fire safety license and had previously been identified as hazardous during inspections. Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mannan, Superintendent of Police ANM Sajedur Rahman, and UNO Panna Akhtar visited the site, while police, fire personnel, and locals joined forces in rescue efforts.
Highlighting the severity of the tragedy, SP ANM Sajedur Rahman stated that Fire Service personnel conducted an extended recovery operation, adding that the condition of the bodies was so severely charred that determining gender proved difficult. Meanwhile, Rimon Ghosh, In-charge of the Inani Police Outpost, confirmed that police promptly responded to the scene and conducted thorough searches to ensure no one remained trapped. Experts have called for a comprehensive investigation into whether the incident was a tragic accident or involved sabotage, stressing the necessity to uncover the cause and assign legal responsibility.
The disaster has sparked strong political and civic reactions regarding unplanned tourism development across the Ukhiya-Teknaf coastal region. Local Member of Parliament and District BNP President Shahjahan Chowdhury criticized local oversight, alleging that due to the negligence and incompetence of the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority (KDA), the area is increasingly becoming overcrowded and unplanned. Simultaneously, AB Party leader Shamsul Haq Sharek and tourism stakeholders voiced concern over illegal establishments operating without proper safety compliance, collectively demanding that the resort owner be brought under immediate interrogation.
Tourism stakeholders emphasized that regular inspections of building permits, fire safety measures, emergency exits, and gas connections are vital to protect visitors in the region. Conscious citizens and industry experts echoed these sentiments, asserting that without strict safety enforcement, routine monitoring, and planned infrastructure, such fatal disasters will continue to threaten tourist safety. They collectively called for prompt institutional accountability and immediate policy enforcement against non-compliant hazardous establishments to avert similar future tragedies along the Cox’s Bazar coastline.
