2023 Kutupalong refugee camp fire
| Date | 5 March 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location | Kutupalong refugee camp, Bangladesh |
| Coordinates | 21°11′02″N 92°09′22″E / 21.184°N 92.156°E |
On 5 March 2023, a fire began in the Kutupalong refugee camp in south-east Bangladesh, resulting in the destruction of more than 2,000 shelters and the displacement of 12,000 refugees.[1][2][3][4]
Background[edit]
The Kutupalong refugee camp is considered the world's largest refugee camp, sheltering Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Between January 2021 and December 2022, there were in excess of 222 fire incidents in the camp, including 60 incidents of arson.[5]
Fire[edit]
The fire began on 5 March 2023 at 2.45pm in the Balukhali camp in Cox's Bazar, destroying more than 2,000 shelters, many made of bamboo and tarpaulin, after spreading through gas cylinders in kitchens.[6] The fire was brought under control within three hours by volunteers and local firefighting services.[5][7][8]
Impact[edit]
No casualties were reported.[9][10] More than 12,000 refugees from Myanmar were left without shelter due to the fire.[11] 35 mosques and 21 learning centres for refugees were also destroyed.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ "Huge fire at Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh leaves thousands without shelter". The Guardian. 2023-03-06. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ "'Everything burnt to ashes': Rohingya refugees left homeless after blaze at Bangladesh refugee camp". ABC News. 2023-03-05. Archived from the original on 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ "Bangladesh fire: Thousands shelterless after blaze at Rohingya camp". BBC News. 2023-03-05. Archived from the original on 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ "Fire rips through Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, displacing 12,000". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ a b c "Bangladesh investigates huge fire at world's largest refugee camp". BBC News. 2023-03-06. Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ "WATCH: Fire tears through Bangladesh refugee camp". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ "Photos: Fire hits Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ "Huge Blaze Leaves Thousands Homeless in Bangladesh Rohingya Camp". VOA. Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ "Fire at Rohingya camp in Bangladesh leaves refugees homeless". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ Pokharel, Sugam (2023-03-05). "Fire rips through Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh leaving thousands homeless". CNN. Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
- ^ "Fire hits crowded Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh". The West Australian. 2023-03-05. Archived from the original on 2023-03-07. Retrieved 2023-03-07.