At least eight people have been killed and several others injured after landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains struck Rohingya refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh, authorities and aid agencies confirmed.
The incident occurred in camps located in Cox's Bazar, a coastal district that hosts more than one million Rohingya refugees. The camps, built on hilly terrain with makeshift shelters made of bamboo and tarpaulin, are particularly vulnerable to landslides during the annual monsoon season.
Local officials reported that intense rainfall overnight caused soil on several slopes to loosen and collapse, burying shelters and trapping residents inside. Emergency response teams, including members of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, were deployed to the affected areas alongside humanitarian partners.
Rescue operations were carried out by a combination of government responders, local volunteers, and international aid organizations such as the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Workers used basic tools to dig through mud and debris in search of survivors, while the injured were taken to nearby health facilities for treatment.
Authorities stated that multiple shelters were either destroyed or severely damaged. Access to some parts of the camps was hindered by flooded pathways and unstable ground conditions, slowing rescue efforts in the immediate aftermath.
Officials have warned that continued rainfall could increase the risk of further landslides and flash flooding across the camps. Early warning systems have been activated, and residents in high-risk zones are being advised to relocate to safer areas where possible. Temporary shelters and evacuation points have also been prepared to accommodate those displaced by the disaster.
The Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar face recurring challenges during the monsoon season, including landslides, flooding, and infrastructure damage. Humanitarian agencies have previously undertaken slope stabilization and drainage improvement projects to reduce risk, though large sections of the camps remain exposed to extreme weather events.
Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions closely as response efforts remain ongoing.