A seven-member investigation committee formed by the district administration has visited the spot following a devastating fire at the Toptop Resort in Patuartek, Inani, under Ukhia Upazila of Cox's Bazar, which left 10 tourists dead and six others injured.
On Sunday at around 11:00 AM, members of the committee inspected the site, collected statements from eyewitnesses and local authorities, and inquired into the cause of the fire as well as the resort's official approval status.
During the visit, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Tasnim Jahan, head of the probe committee, informed journalists that the wooden resort lacked required approvals from key authorities, including the Fire Service and the Department of Environment. Probe members are gathering detailed information regarding the origin of the fire and the resort's unauthorized operations. She noted that although final notices had previously been issued to the establishment, no effective corrective steps were taken by the management. Full details regarding these irregularities will be presented upon completion of the investigation. Ukhia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Panna Akhtar was also present with the probe team during the inspection.
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, Dr. Subaktagin Mahmud Sohel, stated that preliminary identities of six among the 10 deceased have been established, though individual identification of the severely charred bodies is still pending verification.
The preliminarily identified victims are Ishrat Jahan (30) and Milita Mehjabin (23) from Banasree, Dhaka; Laila Jahan (27) and Nafista Mim (27) from Khilgaon, Dhaka; Fariha Kabir (33) from Chuadanga; and five-year-old Faijan Ahmed. The identities of the remaining four—two women, one child, and one man—are yet to be confirmed.
Cox's Bazar District Commissioner Md. A. Mannan stated that because the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, DNA testing will be conducted to confirm exact identities before handing them over to relatives.
Family members have arrived at the hospital to claim the bodies. However, the district administration reiterated that release will occur only after DNA confirmation.
The fire broke out on Saturday morning at the three-story wooden Toptop Resort, claiming the lives of 10 tourists and leaving six injured. The injured were initially rushed to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital; four of them were airlifted to Dhaka on Saturday afternoon for advanced treatment, while the remaining two continue to receive treatment at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Special Correspondent, Cox's Bazar Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
