DU student Nafiz and five family members die in Cox’s Bazar resort fire

Dhaka University (DU) student, Md Nafiz Tehami, and five members of his family were among 10 tourists who died in a devastating fire at Tuptup Resort in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday morning.

At least six others sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at hospitals.

The fire broke out at around 7am, according to the eyewitnesses. Police and locals launched initial rescue operations, but the fire service received alert minutes later.

The firefighters reached the spot at 8am and brought the fire under control within 15 minutes, said Fire Service and Civil Defence Chattogram Division Deputy Director Md Towfiqul Islam Bhuiyan.

Strong coastal winds and the resort’s wooden structure helped the fire spread rapidly, he said. The resort authorities also did not keep necessary fire repelling measures including an extinguisher, hose pipe, alert system or planning in place, he added.

Md Nafiz Tehami was enrolled in the Chinese Language and Culture Programme at DU’s Institute of Modern Languages. He hailed from Dakshin Chunakhali village in Amtali upazila of Barguna district. His father is Md Zeyadul Kabir and his mother is Kajal Rekha.

According to family sources, Nafiz travelled to Tuptup Resort with eight other family members on Friday (16 October). A fire broke out at the resort the following morning, killing Nafiz and five of his relatives. Authorities had not immediately confirmed the condition of the surviving family members.

The other family members were identified as Mithila Mehezabien Alvi, 23, Laila Jahan Nabila, 27, Maliha Mila, Sabrin and child Faizan Ahmed, 5.

Nabila was a student of 15th batch at Chemistry Department of Jagannath University.

The deaths of six members of the same family have plunged their relatives into grief.

DUCSU VP Shadik Kayem expressed deep sorrow over the incident in a condolence message posted on Facebook. He said he had confirmed the deaths of Nafiz and five members of his family after speaking with the Cox’s Bazar Fire Service.

“This incident is extremely tragic and heartbreaking. The entire Dhaka University family is deeply saddened by this tragedy,” he said.

Citing the latest information available to him, Kayem said 10 tourists had died in the fire and several others were receiving hospital treatment for serious injuries. He urged the authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure that the injured received prompt access to advanced medical care.

Meanwhile, DU Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam expressed profound grief over Nafiz’s death.

In a condolence message, the vice-chancellor described the incident as deeply tragic and painful, adding that the entire university community was mourning the loss. He prayed for the eternal peace of the souls of the deceased and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families.

Prof Obaidul Islam also called for an investigation to identify the cause of the fire and bring those responsible to justice.