A massive fire erupted at a section of the Cargo Village of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend all flight operations as emergency teams launched a comprehensive effort to contain the blaze.
The fire, which reportedly started around 2:30 PM, quickly engulfed an area of the Cargo Village used for storing imported goods, sending thick plumes of grey smoke billowing across the airport premises. Airport Executive Director Md Masudul Hasan Masud confirmed the situation shortly after the incident, stating that emergency measures were fully underway.
Multi-Agency Response to Contain Blaze
A large-scale, coordinated operation was swiftly initiated to bring the inferno under control. Teams from the airport’s own fire department were quickly joined by units from the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and the Bangladesh Navy, alongside the national Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD). The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the armed forces, confirmed the combined efforts of the military and civil agencies. Reports indicate that over 30 firefighting units were deployed to battle the blaze.
Flight Operations Disrupted
As a safety precaution and due to the intensity of the fire, all takeoffs and landings at HSIA were suspended. This precautionary measure has led to the diversion of several incoming international and domestic flights to other airports, including Chattogram and Kolkata.
While emergency crews continue their efforts to douse the flames, the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage to the imported goods and airport infrastructure remain unknown. Authorities have stated that a full assessment and investigation will follow once the situation is completely stabilized. All aircraft and the main passenger terminal are reported to be safe.