Kutupalong, December 24, 2024 – A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of today at the Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp, Lambashia, Camp 1W, leaving two people dead and over 400 shelters destroyed.

The blaze started at approximately 12:30 AM in Block C, Sub-block 6, and spread rapidly through the densely packed area, displacing hundreds of already vulnerable refugees. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are underway to determine its origin.

Tragically, two charred bodies were recovered from the site—a six-year-old child and a 60-year-old elderly individual. Their identities are yet to be confirmed as the community reels from the loss.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as families scrambled to save their loved ones and belongings while the flames consumed their shelters. Local fire services and camp residents worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire, but the damage was extensive.

This marks yet another tragic incident highlighting the precarious living conditions faced by the Rohingya refugees in the world’s largest refugee settlement. With shelters built close together and made of flammable materials, fires pose a constant threat to the lives and safety of camp residents.

Humanitarian organizations are mobilizing emergency support to provide food, water, and temporary shelter to those affected.