Operations at Bangladesh’s primary international gateway, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, came to a grinding halt on Saturday as a formidable fire erupted within its cargo terminal. The blaze, which began around 2:30 p.m. local time, sent plumes of dense black smoke billowing into the sky, visible from several miles away.
In response to the emergency, an impressive force of approximately 36 firefighting units was rapidly deployed. They were joined by personnel from the country’s air force, navy, border guards, and army, all working in concert to bring the situation under control. A military public relations office confirmed their assistance.
Wing Cmdr. Jakaria Mahbub, an airport director, addressed the unfolding crisis, stating, “We are now handling the emergency situation. I cannot say anything now about what has caused the fire.” The immediate priority remains extinguishing the flames and ensuring safety.
This incident marks a worrying trend, as it is just the latest in a series of significant fires that have recently plagued Bangladesh, fueling widespread public concern over fire safety standards across the nation.
Only last week, a tragic fire at a chemical storage facility in Dhaka’s Mirpur neighborhood claimed the lives of at least 16 people after it spread to a nearby garment factory. Earlier, another factory fire in Chattogram, Bangladesh’s second-largest city, completely engulfed a seven-story building, though thankfully no casualties were reported in that particular incident.
As a result of the ongoing situation, all incoming and outgoing flights at the Dhaka international airport have been suspended indefinitely, according to Assistant Director Muhammad Kawsar Mahmud. Aircraft are currently being diverted to other airports within Bangladesh.