Ten Tourists Killed in Devastating Resort Fire in Inani, Including Three University Students

PNN News Desk | Cox’s Bazar

At least 10 tourists, including students from the University of Dhaka, Jagannath University and East West University, have died in a devastating fire at a resort in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. Six members of the same family were reportedly among the victims. Several other people were injured, and six of them were taken to hospital, according to the local administration.

The fire broke out at Tuptup Resto and Resort in Inani at around 7:00am on Saturday (October 17). After receiving reports of the fire, Fire Service personnel arrived at the scene and began rescue operations and firefighting efforts. The blaze was brought under control at around 8:15am. However, the cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Among those killed were Nafiz Tehami, a student of the Department of Chinese Language and Culture at the University of Dhaka; Laila Jahan Nabila, a student of the Department of Chemistry at Jagannath University; and Melita Mehezabin Alvi, a student at East West University. The names of Israt Jahan Maliha, Mila, Sabrin and child Faizan Ahmed were also included on the list of victims.

According to information available, the group had visited the resort with nine family members. Nafiz, Nabila, Maliha and Alvi were cousins. Fariha Kabir was Nafiz’s elder sister, while the child Faizan was his nephew.

Syed Muhammad Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of Cox’s Bazar Fire Service, said they received information about the fire at the resort at 7:23am on Saturday. Fire Service personnel reached the scene at around 8:00am and began extinguishing the blaze. The fire was brought under control at approximately 8:15am.

Panna Akter, upazila nirbahi officer of Ukhiya, said rescue operations were underway at the scene following the fire. Six injured people were taken to hospital.

Talha Bin Jasim, an official of the Fire Service media cell, also confirmed that the bodies of at least 10 people had been recovered from the site. As rescue operations were continuing, the authorities were awaiting further information about the casualties.

News of the death of University of Dhaka student Nafiz Tehami cast a shadow of grief over students and members of the university community. Sadik Kayem, vice-president of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), said in a Facebook post that he had confirmed the deaths of Nafiz and six members of his family after speaking with the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service.

In his post, he described the incident as extremely tragic and heartbreaking and expressed his condolences. He also urged the administration to ensure prompt access to advanced medical treatment for those who had sustained serious injuries.

Meanwhile, a statement from Jagannath University confirmed the death of student Laila Jahan Nabila. She was a 15th-batch student in the university’s Department of Chemistry.

Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rais Uddin and Treasurer Professor Dr Sabina Sharmin expressed profound grief and sorrow over Nabila’s death. In a condolence message, they prayed for the forgiveness and peace of her departed soul and conveyed their sympathies to her bereaved family. They also wished the family strength and patience to overcome this irreparable loss.

The resort is located beside the Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf Marine Drive, approximately 40 kilometres from Cox’s Bazar town. The deadly fire at a destination popular among tourists has raised questions about safety arrangements in the area.

However, no detailed information was immediately available about how the fire spread, whether the resort had adequate fire safety measures, or what factors led to the high death toll. Those concerned are awaiting an investigation by the relevant authorities and further official statements to establish the actual cause of the fire.