All air traffic, both inbound and outbound, was abruptly suspended on Saturday at Bangladesh’s largest airport as firefighters valiantly battled a significant blaze consuming its cargo terminal, airport officials confirmed.
The devastating fire erupted at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, the nation’s capital, around 2:30 p.m. local time. The incident quickly sent towering plumes of thick, black smoke into the sky, visible for many miles across the city.
A formidable force of approximately 36 firefighting units was swiftly deployed to the scene, as stated by Talha Bin Jashim, a fire service spokesman.
Further reinforcing the emergency response, personnel from the country’s air force, navy, border guards, and army provided crucial assistance, a military public relations office reported.
“We are currently focused on managing this urgent situation,” commented Wing Cmdr. Jakaria Mahbub, an airport director. “At this moment, I cannot provide any details regarding the origin or cause of the fire.”
As a direct consequence of the escalating emergency, all flights were grounded indefinitely until the situation could be brought under control, an assistant director, Muhammad Kawsar Mahmud, announced.