by Hafizur Rahman
Nayapara Registered Rohingya Refugee Camp, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | April 10, 2026
Two Rohingya boys drowned in a water-filled pit near a brickfield area in Nayapara Registered Rohingya Refugee Camp on April 9, according to local sources. The incident has raised renewed concerns over child safety in the camp.
The victims were identified as Arshad, 12, son of Zahid Hossain from Block H-07, Camp 26, and Holelur Rahman, 11, son of Mohammed Alam from Block H-08, Camp 26.
Residents said the boys had been playing football near the brickfield before entering a nearby water-filled pit to bathe. They were reportedly unaware of its depth and could not come out after falling in.
Children who witnessed the incident alerted nearby residents, who rushed to the scene and began searching. After about 20 minutes, the bodies of the two boys were recovered from the pit, which was estimated to be around 40 feet deep.
The deaths triggered grief across the camp, with family members and neighbors gathering to mourn. Community members said the incident has intensified fears among parents, as hazardous areas remain close to where children regularly play.
Nayapara camp, home to thousands of Rohingya refugees, continues to face multiple safety risks. Overcrowding, limited infrastructure, and the presence of unprotected pits and water bodies contribute to a hazardous environment, particularly for children.
Residents said they have repeatedly raised concerns about such dangers. However, measures such as fencing hazardous sites, installing warning signs, and ensuring regular monitoring remain insufficient.
Similar drowning incidents have been reported in the past, pointing to a pattern of preventable risks within the camp.
Community members are now urging authorities and humanitarian agencies to take immediate steps to secure dangerous areas and implement stronger safety awareness measures.
The deaths of the two children underscore ongoing gaps in basic safety protections in the camps.
