At least 10 people were killed and nine others injured on Saturday when a fire swept through a beachside resort in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district, officials said.
The fire broke out at around 6.30 am at Tap Tap Resto and Resort, located near Marine Drive close to Patuartek Beach in the Inani area. The three-storey building was constructed largely of bamboo and wood, which allowed the flames to spread rapidly and gut the entire structure.
Fire personnel reached the site after being alerted, but the blaze had already engulfed the building. Syed Md Morshed Hossain, a fire official in Cox’s Bazar, said the resort was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and authorities are gathering details.
Recovery operations
Cox’s Bazar District Collector A. Mannan said six bodies had been recovered so far. The bodies will be handed over to families only after DNA samples are collected to establish identities.
Injured under treatment
The injured were taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital. Hospital medical officer Sabuktagin Mahmud Sohel said five people suffered burns covering about 5 per cent of their bodies and are being treated. Another person injured in a fall was discharged after receiving first aid.
Many feared trapped
Around 30 people were reportedly inside the resort when the fire began, and only four or five are said to have escaped. The condition and whereabouts of the others are yet to be established. Authorities are examining how the fire started and how many people were trapped inside. Further details on the death toll and those missing are awaited.