Deadly Inani Beach Fire Exposes Gaps in Tourism Safety

The deadly fire at Tuptup Resto & Resort in the Patuartek area of Inani Beach, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, has exposed serious gaps in tourism safety and regulatory oversight, prompting calls for stronger monitoring and strict enforcement of fire safety standards.

At least 10 people were killed and several others injured when a fire swept through the three-storey resort, built mainly of wood and bamboo. The blaze broke out between 6:30am and 7:30am and rapidly engulfed the structure, leaving guests with little time to escape.

Tourism experts said the tragedy highlighted the risks of promoting Cox’s Bazar as an international destination without ensuring that hotels and resorts meet basic safety requirements. They called for a thorough investigation, accountability and stronger oversight of tourism facilities.

“We are talking about introducing international flights and attracting foreign tourists to Cox’s Bazar. But we are not yet ready if such weaknesses in safety and security persist,” said Taufiq Rahman, secretary general of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Bangladesh Chapter.

He warned that incidents involving negligence and inadequate safety arrangements could attract international media attention and damage Bangladesh’s tourism image. Visitors, he said, would naturally question whether a destination was safe before deciding to travel there.

Tourism depends heavily on a destination’s ability to provide a safe and secure environment, making effective safety standards essential for attracting and retaining visitors.

Mukim Khan, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel-Resort Owners’ Association, said safety should be a primary consideration when licences are issued to hotels and resorts.

He alleged that many resorts were operating without adequate oversight and said such practices should not be allowed to continue. While operators must take responsibility for protecting their guests, he said, the relevant authorities also have a duty to ensure compliance.

Khan questioned how a resort could continue operating without adequate fire safety arrangements despite the presence of the district administration, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and other relevant agencies.

He said the resort was built mainly of wood and bamboo and that breakfast was being prepared in its kitchen when the fire broke out. He also questioned the monitoring role of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and the effectiveness of existing oversight mechanisms.

“The responsibility lies with everyone concerned. Whoever wants cannot simply establish a property and put tourists’ lives at risk,” he said.

Taufiq also expressed concern over what he described as inactivity by the Beach Management Committee and called for stronger monitoring by tourist police and other relevant agencies.

He said the incident had sent a negative message about Cox’s Bazar at a time when Bangladesh was seeking to develop the area into a major international tourism destination. Although tourists should also assess the safety of their accommodation, he stressed that the primary responsibility for meeting safety standards rested with facility operators and the authorities.

Resort Was Operating Without Fire Safety Licence

Tuptup Resto & Resort was operating without a fire safety licence despite receiving an official warning four months before the incident, according to the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD).

FSCD Director General Brig Gen Sultanul Afreen Junaid said an inspector visited the resort in June and issued a formal notice on June 11, identifying the structure as hazardous.

“Despite our inspector visiting the site in June, warning them that the building was risky, and serving a notice, they paid little heed to it and kept the business running,” he said, adding that the resort had been operating without permission.

An inspection found problems with the resort’s documentation, an inadequate number of fire extinguishers and a lack of proper firefighting arrangements, according to the FSCD chief.

The findings have raised further questions about how the facility continued to receive guests despite the identified risks.

Ministry Orders Urgent Safety Review

Following the tragedy, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat directed the Bangladesh Tourism Board to send a team to the site urgently to assess the circumstances, determine the extent of the damage and provide assistance to affected tourists.

He also instructed the authorities to convene an emergency meeting with the local administration, law enforcement agencies and tourism-sector stakeholders to review tourist safety.

The minister called for the prompt implementation of the meeting’s recommendations and specialised training for staff at tourist destinations, with support from the Fire Service and Civil Defence. The training would focus on fire prevention, emergency response and rescue operations to help prevent similar incidents.

Millat expressed deep shock over the loss of lives, conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He also urged the authorities to take effective steps to locate missing people and establish the cause of the fire.

He said all agencies involved in rescue operations needed to maintain coordination while supporting those affected by the tragedy.

What BNP’s Election Manifesto Says

The BNP’s election manifesto pledged to update the national tourism policy to expand the sector and establish Bangladesh as a tourism-friendly destination.

It also promised clean and healthy accommodation, safe and comfortable travel for domestic and international tourists, and tourism-friendly laws to support integrated and planned development.

The manifesto further pledged to deploy an adequate number of trained and capable tourist police to improve visitor safety.

Marking World Tourism Day in September, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed hope that successful implementation of government initiatives would help the tourism sector contribute significantly to Bangladesh’s goal of building a US$1 trillion economy by 2034.

The Inani Beach fire has renewed attention on the gap between tourism-development ambitions and the safety standards needed to protect visitors. Experts say effective inspections, accountability and enforcement are essential if the country is to build confidence among both domestic and international tourists.

Families Mourn Victims

The fire also left families grieving multiple losses.

“Six of my nieces and nephews have died. I have three sisters, and I am their only brother. Five of my sisters’ children have perished, and my eldest niece also lost her child. There were nine of them who had come here for a visit; only three have survived,” said Aminul Islam, a resident of Dhaka.

The deaths have intensified calls for a full investigation into the fire and the safety failures that may have allowed the resort to operate despite the earlier warning.