10 killed as massive fire engulfs beach resort in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar

Bangladesh (The Uttam Hindu): A massive fire broke out at a popular seaside resort in Bangladesh's southeastern coastal district of Cox's Bazar early Saturday morning. At least 10 people were burned to death in the tragic incident, while nine others suffered serious burns. The incident occurred at around 6:30 a.m. at the Tupatup Resto and Resort near Patuartek Beach on Marine Drive in the Inani area. Fire department spokesman Talha Bin Jasim officially confirmed the death of 10 people in the afternoon.

The three-storey building was made of bamboo and wood, and it burned to ashes in no time

According to fire officials, the three-storey resort was built primarily on a structure made of local bamboo, thatch, and wood. Due to this inflammable material, the fire took a monstrous form within minutes, and the entire building turned into a ball of fire. Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of the Cox's Bazar Fire Department, said that by the time fire engines reached the spot, the fire had reduced the entire building to ashes. The resort was located about 29 kilometers from Kolatoli in the main city, which is why it took time for rescue teams to reach there.

Around 30 people were sleeping in the morning, some barely survived amidst the screams

Around 30 tourists and staff were present in the rooms of the resort at the time of the incident, most of whom were in deep sleep. Amidst the sudden flames and suffocating smoke, only four to five people were able to save their lives by jumping out. According to Sabuktagin Mahmud Sohel, resident medical officer of Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, five of the injured admitted to the hospital are badly burnt, while one person was injured after jumping from the window, who was discharged after first aid.

It is suspected that the fire broke out from the kitchen, DNA samples will be taken to identify the bodies

The horror of the accident can be gauged from the fact that the recovered bodies are badly burnt. Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner A. Mannan said that many bodies have been recovered so far and DNA samples of all the bodies are being taken before handing them over to the relatives so that there is no mistake in identification. Initially, it is suspected that the fire might have broken out from a gas cylinder or stove in the kitchen of the resort, however, the technical team of the administration and the fire department is saying that the exact cause of the fire will be revealed only after the completion of the joint investigation.