Devastating Fire in Kutupalong Rohingya Camp

On December 24, 2024, a catastrophic fire erupted in Camp-1W of the Kutupalong Lambashia Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, leaving over 4,000 individuals homeless. The blaze, which began around 12:30 PM, rapidly consumed approximately 1,000 shelters before being brought under control by 2:00 PM.

Tragically, the fire claimed the lives of at least two individuals, including a child and an elderly man. The densely packed bamboo and tarpaulin shelters, characteristic of the camp’s infrastructure, facilitated the swift spread of the flames.

Zahid Husain, a resident of the camp, recounted his harrowing experience: “One of my six-year-old grandchildren, Burhan Uddin, died in the fire. My son, who lived in a nearby shelter with his family of five—the one who got killed is his child. The fire started very close to my shelter, and we couldn’t save anything. I was at the market when I heard the news. Later, I came to experience what you can see here.” He also mentioned that some of his family members are still missing and that two bodies have been taken to the Camp-in-Charge office.

Another victim, Noor Ahlom, 47, from C-6 Block of Camp-1W, described the ordeal: “Seven of my family members, including five children, were in the shelter. We barely escaped. Losing everything during the winter season is devastating. We need urgent assistance.”

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Fires in the refugee camps are not uncommon, often attributed to the congested living conditions and the use of flammable building materials.

Despite the scale of the disaster, survivors report a lack of immediate assistance from authorities and humanitarian organizations. Many are left without basic necessities, exacerbating their already precarious living conditions.

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures and infrastructure within the refugee camps to prevent such disasters in the future. The international community is urged to provide immediate humanitarian aid and to support long-term solutions to enhance the safety and well-being of the Rohingya refugees.

Rohingya Vision News