A fire broke out at a wooden resort and restaurant on Patuartek Sea Beach in Inani of Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar.
The fire started at around 7:30am today, Saturday. The district administration has confirmed four deaths in the incident.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan told Prothom Alo that firefighters had recovered four bodies from the burnt restaurant by 11:00 am. Five other injured people were rescued and admitted to Ukhiya Hospital. None of the victims has been identified.
However, all the casualties are believed to be tourists, as Patowar Tek Beach is a tourist destination. Several people said the fire may have originated from the stove in the resort's kitchen, but this has not yet been confirmed. he added.
Locals said the fire broke out at the resort, located beside the Marine Drive road, at around 7:30am. On receiving the news, firefighters arrived at the scene. Later, local residents, with police assistance, began efforts to bring the fire under control and rescue people.
Seven tourists are missing following the fire. They are believed to be trapped inside the resort. Firefighters are continuing rescue operations, while police are also at the scene. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.