A massive fire that broke out at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 2:15pm on Saturday was brought under control after more than seven hours of intense efforts.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the fire was contained through the quick and coordinated response of 37 firefighting units, supported by airport authorities. Personnel from the Army, Navy, Police, Ansar, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also assisted in the firefighting operations.
Flight operations, which had been suspended due to the blaze, resumed from 9pm on Saturday, said the ministry.
The Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser is visiting the site and closely monitoring the situation. The ministry stated that all necessary measures were being carried out in coordination with relevant agencies.
An investigation will be launched to determine the cause of the fire. The source of the blaze will be identified, and steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
“We are sincerely grateful to the passengers and the general public for their patience and cooperation,” the ministry added.
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Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines formed a seven-member committee headed by the flight safety chief to look into the matter.
Casualties and Damage
At least 35 security personnel, including 25 members of the Ansar and 10 police officers, sustained injuries while battling the fire. Several of the injured were taken to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and Kurmitola General Hospital for treatment.
The fire reportedly began near Gate 8 of the cargo village, where warehouses storing imported chemicals, garments, electronics, and machinery were located. The blaze caused extensive damage, destroying goods worth millions of taka and halting operations at the country’s busiest airport.
Inferno damages imported goods worth millions at Airport Cargo Village
Sultan Ahmed, Director of Tamim Express Ltd., said his company had just unloaded 2.5 tons of imported garment items—including buttons, zippers, fabrics, and labels—all of which were completely destroyed. “Nothing is left. The losses are beyond calculation,” he said.
Md. Rokon Mia, a CNF agent for a private company, warned of a significant economic blow. “The Sky Lounge area stored chemicals, fabrics, and machinery. We suspect the fire originated in the chemical section,” he noted.
Fire Service officials said the most severely affected areas were near B-Gate, where fabric, courier, and chemical warehouses are located. The extreme heat and multiple explosions made firefighting particularly challenging.