A major fire broke out in the cargo section of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, forcing authorities to suspend all flights and divert incoming aircraft.
Dhaka, Bangladesh — A fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in the cargo area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, prompting the suspension of all flight operations and a massive emergency response, officials confirmed.
The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. local time, according to the Dhaka Tribune, which cited Biman Bangladesh Airlines spokesperson Kawser Mahmud.
“Immediately after the incident, fire teams from the airport, the Bangladesh Air Force, and other emergency services rushed to the scene and launched a coordinated operation to bring the fire under control,” Mahmud said.
Flights Suspended, Diversions Ordered
All inbound and outbound flights were temporarily halted following the blaze.
An IndiGo flight from Chennai to Dhaka was diverted to Kolkata, while a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight scheduled to depart was cancelled, airline officials confirmed.
Airport authorities said operations would resume only after safety assessments are completed and fire hazards have been fully eliminated.
Response and Containment Efforts
Teams from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), the airport fire department, and the Bangladesh Air Force fire unit jointly battled the flames, which reportedly erupted in the import cargo terminal area.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising over the airport complex, temporarily disrupting ground operations. No casualties or injuries have yet been reported, and officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
By late afternoon, firefighters had brought the situation under partial control, though cooling operations were still underway.
Preliminary Reports
While authorities have not yet confirmed the source of ignition, early reports suggest the blaze may have been caused by an electrical short circuit or chemical materials stored in cargo facilities.
Security personnel cordoned off the area, and airport management activated emergency protocols, including evacuation of nearby staff and cargo handlers.
Major Hub Temporarily Paralyzed
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport — Bangladesh’s largest and busiest aviation hub — handles more than 20 million passengers and significant cargo shipments annually.
The disruption has already caused delays across regional air traffic routes, with airlines rerouting flights through Kolkata and Bangkok until operations resume.
Authorities said a full damage assessment will follow once the fire is completely extinguished.
