10 victims of Ukhiya resort fire identified, one still missing

Police have identified all 10 victims killed in a fire at TupTup Restaurant and Resort in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, through DNA tests. However, one woman reported missing remains unaccounted for, police said.

The bodies will be handed over to the families on Tuesday, October 27, according to investigation officer Rimon Ghosh.

Six victims belonged to one family from Dhaka’s Banasree and Khilgaon areas. They were identified as Moulita Mehzabin Alvi, 19; Laila Jahan Nabila, 25; Israt Jahan Maliha, 27; Faria Kabir, 33; her six-year-old son Mohammad Faizan Noor; and her brother Mohammad Nafis Tehami, 24.

The other four victims were members of another Dhaka-based family: Mohammad Nahidur Rahman, 41; his wife Afsana Matin, 36; and their daughters Rozaina Inaya, 9, and Munaina Ihana, 6.

DNA samples from the recovered bodies did not match those of Nasrin Akter Mukta, 27, a schoolteacher from Ashulia, Savar, who was reported missing after the fire.

The fire broke out on October 17 at the three-storey resort near Patuartek Beach in Ukhiya. Police filed a case against 23 people over the incident, naming resort owner Mohammad Tanvir Sultan Mia as the prime accused. He remains at large, while another owner, Newaz Morshed, is also reportedly in hiding. The resort’s assistant manager, Zahid Hossain, has been arrested.

Police are expected to disclose further details about the investigation on Tuesday.