Rohingya refugee camp fire leaves thousands homeless in Bangladesh

The inferno consumed hundreds of bamboo and tarpaulin shelters in a densely packed complex in the country's southeast.

Refugee commissioner Mizanur Rahman disclosed the incident on Sunday, expressing suspicions of intentional arson. Bangladesh has been a haven for hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees, many fleeing a 2017 military crackdown on the predominantly Muslim minority in Myanmar, which is currently under investigation by the United Nations for genocide.

Rahman reported that a total of 711 shelters were fully burned, 63 partially damaged, along with the destruction of five education centers and two mosques. Approximately 4,000 people have been rendered homeless, although no casualties were reported, and authorities have successfully brought the fire under control.

"We have ordered a probe into the fire. We suspect it is an act of arson," Rahman stated, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Shafiqul Islam, head of the Ukhiya Fire Station, provided additional details, noting that the fire ignited around midnight at the Kutupalong camp in Ukhiya and quickly spread due to strong winds.

He revealed that approximately 1,040 shelters were destroyed in the blaze, and it took around two hours to bring the fire under control, with the efforts of 10 fire units from Ukhiya and other stations in the district. (ILKHA)