Blaze Breaks Out at Shahjalal International Airport’s Cargo Village

A massive fire erupted at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, 18 October, at 2:34 p.m., the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has confirmed. As a result, flight operations have been temporarily suspended.

According to sources, 36 units of the Fire Service are working to contain the blaze. Additionally, units from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Aviation, and two fire units of the Bangladesh Air Force have joined the operation, while two platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are assisting in rescue efforts. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Fire Service media officer Talha bin Jasim said the fire broke out near Gate 8 of the airport’s Cargo Village. “The first nine units of the Fire Service reached the spot at 2:34 p.m. and began working to control the flames. Later, 23 more units joined, making a total of 32 units currently operating, while four more are on their way,” he stated.

An airport official said that alternative arrangements were being made to ensure that airport operations were not completely disrupted. He added that “the fire is mainly confined to the Cargo Village area and has not affected the passenger terminal,” although flight operations have been suspended temporarily.

For safety reasons, several incoming flights have been diverted. Multiple flights bound for Dhaka have landed in Chattogram and Kolkata instead. Several international flights preparing for departure remain on taxiways.

According to airport sources, Batik Air’s Kuala Lumpur-bound flight OD-163 and IndiGo’s Mumbai-bound flight 6E-1116 are waiting on the taxiway. US-Bangla Airlines’ flight from Bangkok has landed in Chattogram, while IndiGo’s flight from Delhi has landed in Kolkata. Air Arabia’s flight from Sharjah to Dhaka has also been diverted to Chattogram. A Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong is reportedly circling in the air, awaiting clearance to land depending on the fire situation.

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Saidpur to Dhaka has landed in Chattogram instead, and a US-Bangla Airlines flight from Chattogram to Dhaka returned to Chattogram after takeoff.

Airport authorities assured that passenger safety is being given top priority. Normal flight operations will resume once the fire at the Cargo Village is fully brought under control.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick plumes of black smoke rising from the area shortly after the fire broke out. Units from the Civil Aviation Authority, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and the Bangladesh Air Force were among the first responders, with additional units joining later.

A Fire Service officer stated that efforts are underway to identify the source of the blaze and that the surrounding area has been secured. No casualties have been reported so far. Witnesses said black smoke was visible from as far as five to six kilometers away.

In an audio message to the media, the airport’s Executive Director, Group Captain S.M. Ragib Samad, addressed the situation:
“Assalamu Alaikum. To extinguish the fire incident at Shahjalal Airport, our airport fire service personnel are working, along with fire units from the Air Force, and simultaneously, teams from the Fire Service and Civil Defence are also on site. I would like to request my journalist brothers — please do not divert our attention by calling us at this emergency time. Kindly cooperate with us. A problem has occurred, and we are all working together to overcome it. You will receive updates in due course. Please allow us to handle this emergency safely. Assalamu Alaikum.”

Authorities continue their coordinated effort to bring the situation under control and ensure safety across the airport premises.