Ten Tourists Killed in Fire at Wooden Resort in Cox's Bazar

Ten tourists died and several others were injured when fire destroyed a wooden resort near Patuartek beach in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday morning. Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said the blaze began around 7 a.m. and took roughly four hours to bring under control. The three-storey structure, built largely of bamboo and wood, was reduced to ashes.

Most of the dead were tourists from Dhaka. Identified victims include Israt Jahan Maliha, 30, and Milita Mehezabin Alvi, 23, both from Banasree; Laila Jahan Nabila, 27, and Nafista Mim, 27, from Khilgaon; Fariha Kabir, 33, from Chuadanga; and five-year-old Faizan Ahmed. Several reports indicated that six of the dead belonged to one extended family. Four bodies were recovered from the resort’s toilets after the fire was extinguished.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan said all the dead and injured were tourists. Around 16 to 27 people were inside the resort when the fire started. Some managed to escape; others were trapped. Six to nine people suffered burns and were taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital. A few were discharged after first aid; others remain under treatment with burns covering limited areas of their bodies.

Fire officials said three units responded after receiving the call around 7:25 a.m. The resort sits along Marine Drive near the beach. The structure had nine rooms; tourists in three rooms had checked out the previous night. The fire is believed to have started from a kitchen stove or an LPG cylinder explosion, though a formal investigation has been opened. A five-member committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner will examine the cause and the resort’s compliance with safety rules.

Local fire officials noted that the resort lacked formal government approval for construction and had limited fire-safety measures. The wooden and bamboo construction allowed the flames to spread quickly. Border Guard Bangladesh personnel joined the search of the debris. No staff members were reported among the dead.

Cox’s Bazar is Bangladesh’s largest tourist destination, with a long beach that draws visitors from across the country, particularly during weekends and holidays. Resorts along Marine Drive and in the Inani area have expanded rapidly in recent years. Several earlier fires at similar wooden or bamboo properties have raised questions about building standards and emergency access on the coastal stretch.

Police and the district administration have begun notifying families in Dhaka and other districts. Bodies of the identified victims are being prepared for return. Officials have not yet released a complete list of the missing or confirmed whether any foreign tourists were present. The resort’s owners have not issued a public statement.

The incident occurred on a Saturday when many Dhaka families travel to the coast. Traffic on Marine Drive was disrupted while fire engines and rescue teams worked at the site. Local hospitals reported that burn patients were stable but would require further care. No other structures were reported damaged.

Authorities have said they will review permits for similar resorts in the Inani and Patuartek areas. The investigation committee is expected to report on both the immediate cause and any regulatory gaps that allowed the wooden structure to operate without adequate fire protection. For the families of the dead, the focus remains on identifying remains and arranging transport back to Dhaka.