United News of Bangladesh

Nearly 23 hours after a devastating fire broke out at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, firefighters are still struggling to fully extinguish the flames. As of Sunday noon, smoke was still seen billowing from the import godown near Gate-8 of the airport. Duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters control room, Lima Khanom, told UNB around 1 pm, “The fire has not been completely extinguished yet. Our operation is ongoing. We will inform you once it is fully doused.” The blaze erupted between 2:15 pm and 2:30 pm on Saturday at the airport’s import cargo village. Within moments, it spread rapidly, burning down two of the three sections of the cargo complex before reaching the chemical godown near Gate-8. Exporters scramble to assess losses after airport fire The Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence said around 10 pm on Saturday that the fire had been brought under control but not fully extinguished, adding that it would take more time. Even by Sunday noon, the operation was still ongoing. Flight operations at the airport resumed normally after 9 pm on Saturday, according to the authorities. A six-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the incident, with instructions to submit its report within five working days. At least 37 personnel, including two firefighters, 25 Ansar members, and 10 others from different agencies, sustained injuries while battling the blaze. Though the incident is among the most severe in the airport’s history, no major casualties were reported. Internal Resources Division forms committee to probe Shahjalal fire This is the first time 37 Fire Service units worked simultaneously to control such a large airport fire. Around 5,000 members of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), including officers from six police stations under Uttara Division, joined the operation alongside the army, navy, air force, Ansar, RAB and Fire Service teams. Officials said the coordinated efforts helped bring the massive blaze under control more quickly.

Flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka have been suspended after a fire broke out in the airport’s cargo section on Saturday afternoon. According to airport sources, all take-offs and landings have remained halted since the blaze erupted around 2:30 pm in the cargo area. Md Masudul Hasan Masud, spokesperson for the airport’s executive director, said the fire originated in a section adjacent to the main cargo area. Fire breaks out at Dhaka airport’s cargo section; 20 units battling blaze   He said the army and air force have joined the Fire Service in the ongoing firefighting efforts. Masud also mentioned that the affected section is used for storing imported goods. The Fire Service and Civil Defence said 37 units are currently working to bring the blaze under control, while 12 additional units are on their way to the spot.

Now, bKash users have access to the exclusive amenities of the Balaka Executive Lounge at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Whether it's a pre-flight relaxation or a layover, passengers can conveniently pay for services using bKash payments. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between InterContinental Dhaka and bKash, said a media release on Sunday. Ali Ahmmed, Chief Commercial Officer of bKash and Ashwani Nayar, General Manager of InterContinental Dhaka signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations at the hotel's executive office. Senior officials from both organisations were also present. Balaka Executive Lounge is the largest premium lounge at the Shahjalal International Airport, operated by InterContinental Dhaka. It offers a wide range of amenities, including a selection of premium food and beverages, workstations, high-speed Wi-Fi, shower facilities, wheelchair access, and dedicated luggage storage areas, providing travellers with a luxurious and comfortable environment to relax before and in-between their flights.  

A total of 304 passengers who returned home from different countries were sent to Diya Bari quarantine centre in Uttara from Shahjalal Airport on Sunday as they did not have coronavirus negative test reports.

A preventive team of Dhaka Customs detained a man along with 8.45 kg gold at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here on Monday night.