Tawhidul Islam, Cox's Bazar

It will take over three to four weeks to identify the bodies of 10 people killed in a devastating fire at an illegal resort in Patuartek, Ukhiya, following required DNA testing.

Heartbroken relatives gathered outside the Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue, desperately trying to recognize the charred remains. Authorities confirmed that visual identification is impossible due to the extent of the burns.

Dr. Subaktagien Mahmud Sohel, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital, stated that sample collection from both the deceased and their first-degree relatives is underway. These samples will be sent to the CID DNA laboratory in Dhaka for cross-matching.

While 10 bodies were recovered from the site, missing person reports submitted by families total 11 individuals. Tasneem Jahan, Additional District Magistrate and head of the seven-member probe committee, noted that law enforcement is utilizing technology to verify if all 11 listed individuals were present at the scene during the incident.

Preliminary investigations revealed that "Toop Toop Resort" operated without essential clearances from the Fire Service or the Department of Environment. The resort management had also ignored prior warnings issued by authorities.

Ukhiya police have filed a negligence case against 23 individuals, naming primary owner Tanvir Ahmed. Resort manager Mohammad Sumon has been arrested and sent to jail, while drives are ongoing to apprehend the remaining fugitives.

Grieving families have demanded immediate accountability and strict enforcement of fire safety standards across all tourist establishments to prevent future tragedies. Meanwhile, injured survivors, including a doctor couple, have been transferred to Dhaka for specialized treatment.