Six members of a family from Dhaka were killed in a fire at a Cox's Bazar resort this morning (17 October), while another family member, Ashiqul Islam, survived by jumping from the second floor.
Ashiqul had gone to Cox's Bazar with his wife, Israt Jahan Maliha, 30, his sister-in-law, Laila Jahan Nabila, 27, and other close relatives. The family had been due to return to Dhaka at around 10:30am today.
The fire broke out at Tuptup Resto and Resort in the Patuartek area of Inani, Ukhiya, around 7am.
According to a relative who spoke to Prothom Alo on condition of anonymity, Ashiqul escaped by jumping from the second floor after the fire broke out. His wife, sister-in-law and four other close relatives were among those killed.
Ashiqul said two family members had left the resort to visit the beach before the fire broke out.
Seven victims identified
Of the 10 people killed in the fire, seven have been identified so far, while the identities of three others remain unknown.
The identified victims include Israt Jahan Maliha and Milita Mehejabin Alvi, 23, of Banasree in Dhaka; Laila Jahan Nabila and Nafista Mim, 27, of Khilgaon in Dhaka; Fariha Kabir, 33, of Chuadanga; five-year-old Faizan Ahmed; and Nasrin Akter Mukta, 28, of Ashulia.
The bodies are to be handed over to the families after DNA testing.
Six injured in the fire
Six people injured in the fire were taken to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital. They were identified as Dr Shihab Uddin, 31, of Mugda Medical College Hospital; his wife, Nafiza Newaz Khan, 29; Mannan, 34; Meherunnesa, 30; Masud, 30; and Samida, 32.
Subaktagin Mahmud Sohel, resident medical officer at the hospital, said five of the injured had burns covering around 5% of their bodies and had been admitted. The sixth person, who was injured in a fall, was discharged after receiving primary treatment.
Rescue operations continue
Three Fire Service units began working at the scene around 8am and brought the blaze under control at about 10am. The fire was fully extinguished around 11am.
Syed Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of the Cox's Bazar Fire Service, said 10 bodies had been recovered and six people injured by around 2pm. He said rescue operations were continuing and firefighters had yet to search every room, so the death toll could rise.
Police have detained resort manager Mohammad Suman for questioning, Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikur Rahman Majumder confirmed around 4:30pm.
Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Brigadier General Sultanul Afreen Zunaid said the resort did not have a fire service licence and had been warned about the lack of compliance in June. The resort had continued operating without obtaining the required licence, he said.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner A Mannan said a five-member committee, headed by the additional district magistrate, had been formed to investigate the fire. Its cause has not yet been determined.