Ukhiya, Oct 18 (V7N) – Police have arrested the restaurant manager of a resort in Inani, Ukhiya, following a devastating fire that killed 10 tourists at the wooden Tuptup Restro and Resort in Cox’s Bazar. A case is being prepared in connection with the incident, while the resort’s owners remain unaccounted for, according to police.

The arrested manager, identified as Mohammad Sumon, was taken to Ukhiya Police Station around 6pm on Saturday, October 17. Police said he would be questioned further as part of the investigation.

Officer-in-Charge of Ukhiya Police Station Atikur Rahman Majumder confirmed the arrest, saying a case was being processed in connection with the fire.

The fire broke out around 7:30am on Saturday at the wooden resort in the Patuartek area of Ukhiya, beside the Marine Drive road. Fire Service personnel deployed two units to the scene and conducted rescue operations.

Syed Mohammad Morshed Hossain, deputy assistant director of Cox’s Bazar Fire Service and Civil Defence, said 10 bodies had been recovered from the resort. Six injured people were receiving medical treatment, while the bodies were kept at the morgue of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Nine Victims Identified

Authorities have so far identified nine of the 10 victims. Six were members of the same family.

They were identified as Israt Jahan Maliha, 30, and Milita Mehezabin Alvi, 23, from Banasree in Dhaka; Laila Jahan Nabila, 27, and Nafista Mim, 27, from Khilgaon in Dhaka; Fariha Kabir, 33, from Chuadanga; and five-year-old Faizan Ahmed.

Another victim, Nasrin Akter Mukta, 29, was a teacher at Swapnabilash Niribili School in Ashulia, Dhaka.

The Fire Service identified two other victims as Jihad Howlader and Tarikul Islam. Their detailed identities have yet to be confirmed. The identity of the remaining victim also remains unknown.

Owners’ Whereabouts Unknown

The resort’s owners, identified as Niaz Morshed and Tanvir, could not immediately be located after the incident. Police have not publicly confirmed their whereabouts.

The circumstances have raised questions about the resort’s safety arrangements, fire-prevention equipment and compliance with fire-safety requirements. However, the cause of the fire has not yet been established.

Five-Member Probe Committee Formed

The Cox’s Bazar district administration has formed a five-member committee, led by an additional district magistrate, to investigate the fire.

District Commissioner Abdul Mannan said the committee had been instructed to submit its findings within three days.

Investigators are expected to examine how the fire started, the resort’s safety arrangements and the availability and condition of firefighting equipment. The exact cause of the fire will be determined after the investigation.

Police said further details would be disclosed as the investigation progresses.

END/MSI/SMA/