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Cox’s Bazar resorts face fire safety concerns after deadly blaze

Published : Monday, 19 October, 2026 at 7:05 PM

Observer Online Report

Hundreds of hotels, motels and resorts along Cox’s Bazar’s Marine Drive lack fire safety certificates, raising concerns over tourist safety after a fire at an Inani resort killed 10 people.

Cox’s Bazar attracts domestic and foreign tourists with its sea views, but questions have emerged over the safety of accommodation facilities across the coastal district. Many establishments have operated for years without the required safety certificates or development authority approval.

Resorts have sprung up along the 80-kilometre Marine Drive, with many structures built using flammable materials such as wood, bamboo and thatch. A recent fire at one such establishment claimed 10 lives.

Khandaker Mahmud Pasha, deputy director of the Department of Environment in Cox’s Bazar, said many resorts offered luxurious facilities while neglecting fire safety measures, leaving tourists exposed to risks.

Fazle Rabbi, an authorised officer of the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority, said the district had at least 2,500 hotels, motels and resorts. Of these, around 400 lacked fire safety certificates and approval from the development authority.

Additional District Magistrate Tasneem Jahan said the district administration attributed the situation to staff shortages and a lack of coordination among relevant agencies.

The deadly fire has heightened concerns among tourists about safety gaps at resorts across the district.

Cox’s Bazar is widely regarded as one of Bangladesh’s leading tourism destinations. However, the growth of unapproved and poorly planned hotels, motels and resorts has raised concerns that these facilities could become death traps without effective oversight and enforcement.

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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