Cox’s Bazar Resort Fire Kills 10 as Owner Faces Case

The Cox’s Bazar resort fire on Saturday, October 17, 2026, killed 10 tourists at TupTup Resto & Resort in Inani, Ukhiya. Police have now filed a case against the owner and others. Meanwhile, the Fire Service says the wooden resort had no fire safety licence. However, the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Cox’s Bazar Resort Fire: What Happened

The fire started at the wooden resort near Patuartek Beach, along Marine Drive, at around 7:00 am to 7:30 am. The Fire Service received the call at 7:25 am, and firefighters reached the site at about 8:00 am. Reports give different times for when the blaze came under control, from 8:15 am to 11:30 am. (Source: The Business Standard, Prothom Alo)

By 1:30 pm, the Fire Service had confirmed 10 bodies. Rescuers found four of them inside two toilets on the second floor. All the victims were tourists. (Source: The Business Standard, Prothom Alo, The Daily Star)

Six people were injured and taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital. Earlier reports said four were injured. According to the hospital’s resident medical officer, five patients had burns on about 5% of their bodies and were admitted. The sixth person had a fall injury, and doctors discharged that person after treatment. (Source: The Business Standard)

Who Were the Victims of the Inani Resort Fire?

Six of the dead belonged to one extended family, a relative told The Daily Star. A Dhaka University student was among them. (Source: The Daily Star)

Authorities plan DNA tests to confirm identities and to clear up uncertainty about missing persons. Until officials decide, the bodies remain at the hospital morgue. (Source: The Business Standard)

Fire Safety Failures at the Resort

Fire Service Director General Brigadier General Sultanul Afreen Junaid said the resort had no Fire Service approval. An inspector visited in June and served a notice on June 11, marking the building as hazardous. Even so, the resort kept operating. (Source: Prothom Alo, The Daily Star)

Officials also said the building had no fire extinguishers, no fire alarms and no fire safety plan. In addition, the wooden building had a restaurant on the ground floor, where staff cooked food, and guest rooms on the upper floors. (Source: The Business Standard, Prothom Alo)

A senior Fire Service official in Chattogram said strong sea winds helped the flames spread fast. The director general added that the nearest fire station was about 22 kilometres from the site. (Source: The Business Standard, Prothom Alo)

The director general also said many wooden resorts at tourist spots lack the required permits. As a result, the Fire Service plans to send risk notices to such places. He warned that the risk could rise in the dry season. (Source: Prothom Alo)

Police Case Over the Cox’s Bazar Resort Fire

Police filed a case late on Saturday night, at around 10:15 pm, according to Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Atikur Rahman Majumder. The case names four people and lists 19 others as unidentified accused. Resort owner Tanvir Ahmad is the prime accused, and manager Mohammad Sumon is also named. (Source: The Business Standard, The Daily Star)

Police detained Sumon on Saturday afternoon and later showed him as arrested. Police said they would present him in court on Sunday. Meanwhile, the owner has remained untraceable, and police are carrying out operations to arrest the other accused. (Source: Dhaka Tribune)

A case is a legal complaint, not a verdict. The court will decide whether any accusation is proven. Also, some reports spell names differently, so readers should check the final case record. (Source: Editorial note)

Cause of the Inani Resort Fire Is Still Unknown

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner A Mannan said officials first suspected the kitchen stove, but nobody has confirmed that. The district police chief also said the cause cannot be confirmed until the investigation ends. (Source: Prothom Alo, The Business Standard, The Report)

The district administration has formed a five-member committee to investigate. Separately, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat asked the Bangladesh Tourism Board to assess the damage and help affected tourists. He also asked it to call an emergency safety meeting with local officials, police and tourism groups. (Source: The Business Standard)

The Fire Service will also review current laws and monitoring gaps. Its goal is to act when risky buildings keep operating after a notice. (Source: Prothom Alo)

What Travelers Can Learn From the Cox’s Bazar Resort Fire

This is general advice from our editorial team, based on the safety gaps officials listed. Before you book a beach stay in Bangladesh, ask the hotel about its fire safety licence. After you check in, look for fire extinguishers, alarms and clear exit routes. Families who plan trips from the USA can share these checks with relatives who travel.

What Happens Next

DNA tests will confirm the identities of the victims. The five-member committee will continue its probe, and the court will handle the case against the accused. Living Arcade will update this story when officials share more confirmed details.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cox’s Bazar Resort Fire

Q1. How many people died in the Cox’s Bazar resort fire?
Ten people died, and all of them were tourists. Six others were injured. (Source: Prothom Alo, The Business Standard)

Q2. What caused the fire at TupTup Resort?
Officials have not confirmed the cause. The deputy commissioner said the kitchen stove was the first suspect, but the investigation is still open. (Source: The Business Standard)

Q3. Did the resort have a fire safety licence?
No. The Fire Service says the resort had no approval and had received a hazard notice in June. (Source: Prothom Alo, The Daily Star)

Q4. Who is named in the police case?
Owner Tanvir Ahmad is the prime accused, and manager Mohammad Sumon is also named. Police listed four named accused and 19 unidentified accused. (Source: The Daily Star)

Q5. Why will officials run DNA tests?
They want to confirm the identities of the 10 bodies and settle questions about missing persons. (Source: The Business Standard)