Dhaka — A large fire erupted Saturday afternoon in the cargo village area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, prompting authorities to suspend all flight operations at the country’s busiest international gateway.
Incident Timeline
- The blaze began around 2:30 p.m. inside the airport’s Cargo Village, where imported goods are stored.
- By 3:45 p.m., airport executive director Md Masudul Hasan Masud confirmed that both landings and takeoffs had been suspended to ensure safety.
- According to the Bangladesh Fire Service, some 28 fire units had been deployed, with additional support from the armed forces.
Multi-Agency Response
The firefighting effort is being coordinated by a coalition of agencies:
- Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence – first responders to the scene.
- Bangladesh Air Force fire units & Bangladesh Navy – mobilized to assist in containment and logistical support.
- Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) – coordinating airport safety protocols and operational suspension.
Disruption to Airport Operations
With the flights suspended, the full impact of the halt in airport operations is unfolding:
- All arriving and departing flights at HSIA are on hold until the fire is fully contained and safety inspections are completed.
- The affected cargo village section is used for storage of imported goods pending customs clearance, raising concerns about potential damage to high-value shipments.
- The airport’s runway and terminals remain safe for now, but operations will only resume once the fire zone is declared secure and inspections clear aircraft movement paths.
Risks & Implications
- Logistical Bottlenecks: With cargo operations disrupted, supply chains reliant on air imports may face delays.
- Flight Delays / Diversions: Airlines may divert to nearby airports or face cancellations until HSIA operations resume, creating ripple effects across South Asia.
- Safety & Reputation Impact: Such an incident underscores vulnerabilities in airport infrastructure at key hubs and may trigger regulatory reviews.
- Cargo Damage & Claims: Goods stored near the blaze may sustain heat or smoke damage, raising concerns about liability and insurance.
Next Steps
- Firefighting crews are working to fully extinguish the blaze and will hand over to structural and air-quality inspectors to assess damage and residual risk.
- CAAB and airport authorities will conduct safety inspections of taxiways, aprons, fire-suppression systems, and secure areas before resuming operations.
- Airlines and freight operators will receive an operational update once the airport issues a “clear-to-operate” advisory.
- An investigation will follow into the cause of the fire, damage assessment, and review of emergency response protocols.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Airport: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka (IATA: DAC)
- Incident location: Cargo Village inside airport perimeter
- Time of fire start: ~2:30 p.m. local time, October 18, 2025
- Flight operations status: Fully suspended until further notice
⚠️ Note: This is a developing story. Updates will likely emerge as firefighting concludes and airport authorities release further statements.
