5 Killed, 4 Critically Injured in Devastating Fire at Marine Drive Resort in Cox Bazar

Staff Reporter ​COX'S BAZAR: A devastating fire broke out at 'Tuptup Resort' along the scenic Marine Drive road in Cox's Bazar on Saturday morning, leaving at least five tourists dead and four others critically injured with severe burn injuries. ​Three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control after a grueling operation lasting nearly two hours. Meanwhile, the resort owner and all staff members reportedly fled the scene immediately following the incident. ​The fire broke out unexpectedly around 7:00 AM on Saturday (October 17). ​According to local sources and fire service officials, the fire originated in one part of the resort and rapidly engulfed the entire property within minutes. Upon receiving the news around 8:00 AM, three firefighting units from Cox's Bazar quickly arrived at the scene and launched a rescue mission. They managed to bring the blaze under control around 10:00 AM. ​Rescuers retrieved five charred bodies from the debris. Four other heavily burned victims were rescued in critical condition and rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment. The identities of the deceased and injured could not be immediately confirmed, but fire service personnel suspect they were tourists visiting Cox's Bazar from various parts of the country. ​Confirming the incident, Syed Muhammad Moreshed Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director of Cox's Bazar Fire Service, said, "The fire has been brought under control, and rescue operations are currently underway. Five people have died from severe burns, and four injured individuals have been sent to the hospital. As the condition of the questions have been raised regarding potential irregularities and the lack of proper fire safety measures at the establishment. ​Police and fire service authorities have launched a joint investigation into the incident.