At least 35 security personnel, including 25 Ansar members and 10 police, were injured while battling a massive fire at the import cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday afternoon.

Several of the injured were taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and Kurmitola General Hospital for treatment.

The fire broke out around 2:30pm near Gate 8 of the cargo village, where warehouses storing imported chemicals, garments, electronics, and machinery caught fire.

Eighteen firefighting units rushed to the scene and launched an operation to contain the blaze, assisted by members of the police, BGB, Army, Air Force, and Ansar.

According to officials, around one thousand Ansar members were on duty at the airport, many of whom took part in the firefighting efforts. Twenty-five were injured during the operation.

Md Golam Maula Tuhin, Commander of Ansar’s Uttara zone, said, “Our members identified the fire early and informed the authorities. Despite the risks, they showed great courage in the initial firefighting efforts.”

Md Ashiquzzaman, Deputy Director (Public Relations) of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP headquarters said, “The situation is being closely monitored, and proper medical care and assistance have been ensured for the injured members.”

Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Uttara Division, Mahidul Islam, confirmed that at least ten police members were injured while assisting in the firefighting operation. “They were taken to Kurmitola General Hospital. A senior officer has been sent there to oversee their treatment,” he told reporters at the scene in the evening.

He added that more than 5,000 police personnel from various DMP units have been deployed to maintain order and ensure security in the area.

Fire Service officials said the cause of the fire could not be determined immediately, and efforts to bring the blaze fully under control were still ongoing by evening.