Death toll in Cox's Bazar resort fire rises to 7, 5 still missing

Seven people have died and five remain missing after a fire ripped through Tuptup Resort in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday morning.

Rescue workers are searching the badly damaged building for the missing, amid fears that the death toll could rise.

The fire broke out around 7am on Saturday at the resort in the Patuartek beach area along Marine Drive.

Three fire service units began tackling the blaze around 8am and brought it under control by approximately 10am after nearly three hours of firefighting. Rescue workers then began searching the building for people who might still be trapped inside.

Dolon Acharjee, a senior fire service official, confirmed that seven bodies had been recovered from the scene.

Preliminary information from fire service sources indicated that 17 tourists were staying at the resort when the fire broke out. The victims are believed to be tourists, but their identities had not been established immediately.

Atiqur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Ukhiya Police Station, said there were concerns that several people had died in the fire. However, he added that more time would be needed to determine the final death toll.

The resort sustained extensive damage in the blaze. Rescue workers are continuing to search the building for anyone who may remain trapped inside. Resort staff, meanwhile, were reportedly no longer at the premises after the fire.

The cause of the fire, the full extent of the damage and details of the resort’s fire safety arrangements were not immediately available. The search for the five missing people is continuing.