Full Breakdown
Tragic Fire at TUPTUP Resto and Resort Claims 10 Lives in Cox’s Bazar
By Drooid · · How we work
The Incident
On October 17, a blaze erupted at the three-storey TUPTUP Resto and Resort in Patuertek, Inani, Cox’s Bazar. The fire started shortly after 6:30 a.m., engulfing the wooden and bamboo structure that housed a ground-floor restaurant and tourist rooms above. Firefighters from the nearest station, 22 km away, brought the flames under control by 11:00 a.m. The Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence confirmed ten deaths and nine injuries.
Background: Safety Violations and Prior Warning
The resort was operating without a valid fire-service licence. In June, Fire Service Director General Brig Gen Sultanul Afreen Zunaid inspected the property and issued a notice citing fire-safety risks, but the licence remained unrenewed. The Fire Service notes that many resorts in tourist zones are built with combustible materials and lack required approvals.
Timeline
- June 2024 – Inspection and fire-safety notice issued.
- October 16 – Tourists checked out; 16 guests remained in six rooms.
- October 17, ? 6:30 a.m. – Fire ignites.
- ? 7:30 a.m. – Alarm received.
- ? 8:00–10:00 a.m. – Firefighting units from Ukhiya engage the blaze.
- ? 11:00 a.m. – Fire extinguished; rescue operations continue.
- Afternoon – Death toll reaches ten; investigations launched.
Data & Statistics
- Deaths: 10 (eight members of a single family).
- Injuries: 9 treated at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.
- Structure: Three-storey wooden building with nine rooms, mainly bamboo and wood.
- Occupancy: 16 tourists in six rooms at the time.
- Response: Two fire-service units arrived around 8:00 a.m.; a Border Guard Bangladesh team later joined rescue efforts.
Official Statements & Responses
- Brig Gen Sultanul Afreen Zunaid said the resort had been inspected in June, warned of fire risks, and continued operating without a licence. He noted that many regional resorts lack proper approvals and that the agency will review preventive measures.
- Talha Bin Jasim (Fire Service spokesman) confirmed the ten-death toll and the response timeline, noting the nearest fire station was 22 km away.
- Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain reported the structure was gutted and that the victims were presumed tourists.
- A Mannan announced that six bodies had been recovered, DNA samples would be taken for identification, and a probe panel comprising police, fire-service and local administration would be formed.
- Mohammad Atikur Rahman Majumder provided the initial time of the fire’s outbreak and said police could not enter until the blaze was controlled.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Early coverage varied on the casualty count, with some outlets initially reporting six deaths before updates raised the figure to ten. Victim identities remain unconfirmed pending DNA analysis. The precise cause of the fire was unknown at the time of reporting; officials mentioned a possible short circuit in the kitchen but emphasized that a thorough investigation is required.
What’s Next
A multi-agency panel has been constituted to determine the fire’s cause and assess any negligence regarding safety permits. DNA testing will continue to identify the missing victims, after which bodies will be returned to families.