No trace of Tuhin's family even after two days, relatives waiting for DNA tests

Two days have passed since the fire at TupTup Resort and Restaurant in Inani, Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar, yet there is still no trace of Nahidur Rahman Tuhin, who had gone visiting, his wife and their two little daughters. The couple had gone to see the sea with their two daughters, aged seven and three; they were due to return to Dhaka on Sunday noon, but the whole family has been missing since the fire broke out at the resort before that.

Relatives said Tuhin booked at the resort on 11 October. They rented a room at the resort from 16 to 18 October. On Friday night he enjoyed the waves of the sea all night with his family. They had planned to leave the resort at 1 pm on 18 October and return to Dhaka. But when the fire broke out at the resort on Saturday morning, contact was lost.

As of Sunday evening, police have confirmed the deaths of 10 people in the fire. Although the identities of six of the deceased have been initially confirmed, it has not yet been possible to identify which body is whose. As a result, the uncertainty remains over whether the four members of Tuhin's family are among those bodies.

Atikur Rahman Majumdar, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ukhiya Police Station, said that among the four unidentified bodies there are two women, one child and one man. DNA samples have been collected from the relatives of the missing. He said identities can be confirmed once the DNA test results arrive.

Tuhin's elder brother Zahidur Rahman said that since receiving the news of the fire, there has been no trace of his younger brother, his brother's wife and his two nieces. He has arrived in Cox's Bazar from Sylhet. According to him, among the four bodies there are two children. But there is no condition for recognising the faces, and his brother and his brother's wife are not among the injured either. His DNA sample has been taken for final identification.

Tuhin was an official of Grand Power Limited at Shyamoli in Dhaka. He lived with his family at Sheorapara in Mirpur in the capital. His village home is at Mohanpur Karikorpara in the Monirampur municipal town of Jashore. Not getting news of his son, daughter-in-law and two granddaughters, his father Motiar Rahman has been left speechless.

Some time ago Motiar Rahman had been bedridden after suffering a stroke. He used to go regularly to Tuhin's home in Dhaka for treatment. On Friday night, the day before the fire, he had his last conversation with his son. Holding on to that memory, he said his son had told him: 'You don't worry. Your grandchildren are at the sea beach, the children are playing. We will return to Dhaka on Tuesday. On Wednesday you come to the home in Mirpur, Dhaka.' He had come to the village about a month and a half ago; he too was due to return to Dhaka on Wednesday.

Tuhin's aunt Roksana Akter Rupali said through tears: 'My darling has died, I do not believe it. My darling also had two beautiful children. When they came to the village, they would fill the whole house with joy and exuberance.' She also said Tuhin's mother did a government job; when his mother went to the office, Tuhin would stay with her from childhood — she was Tuhin's milk-mother [the woman who nursed and raised him].

At the news of Tuhin's family going missing, a shadow of mourning has descended over Mohanpur Karikorpara in Monirampur. Throughout the day local people have been crowding at their home. On social media too, colleagues and people of the area are expressing grief and condolences, posting pictures of various moments spent with Tuhin.

Meanwhile, Ukhiya Police Station OC Atikur Rahman Majumdar said police have filed a case over the fire incident naming 23 people as accused. Resort owner Md Tanvir has been made the prime accused in the case.

Abu Sayeed, OC of Monirampur Police Station in Jashore, said Tuhin's elder brother Zahidur Rahman has arrived in Cox's Bazar. As far as is known, the bodies of the members of Tuhin's family have not yet been identified. Nothing can be said for certain without DNA tests.

Now all eyes are on the results of the DNA tests. Once the report is in hand, the identities of the unknown bodies will be confirmed and they will be handed over to the relatives. Until then, in both places — Cox's Bazar and Monirampur — Tuhin's relatives are counting the hours of waiting and uncertainty.