Dhaka Airport fire: Fears of Billion-Dollar Loss

Darwin, 19 October-

A massive fire broke out at the Cargo Village Complex of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, threatening billions of dollars in damages and disrupting Bangladesh’s vital export operations.

The fire, which erupted around 2:30 PM, severely impacted the country’s readymade garment (RMG) sector—the largest contributor to Bangladesh’s exports—due to its heavy reliance on air freight for urgent international shipments.

It took more than six and a half hours for 37 units from 13 fire stations to bring the blaze under control. The incident left at least 35 people injured, including 25 members of the Ansar security force.

Airport Operations Temporarily Halted

All aircraft operations were suspended immediately after the fire began. The airport resumed limited functionality at 9 PM, with a FlyDubai flight landing at 9:06 PM. The fire broke out near Gate 8, known as the “Hangar Gate,” where imported goods are usually stored.

Armed Forces Join Firefighting Efforts

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that alongside the fire service, units from the army, navy, and air force also participated in controlling the fire. Two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed as well.

Major Losses for Importers and Exporters

Sources say the cargo complex stored large volumes of fabric and flammable materials imported for garment factories, which fueled the fire and made it more difficult to extinguish.

Kamruzzaman Ibne Amin Sohail, Managing Director of RMK Group, which handles air freight, said importers had suffered “massive losses.” The customs clearance and cargo transport operations have been temporarily suspended, forcing exporters to halt shipments.

Industry leaders warn that the financial blow could ripple across multiple sectors due to delayed shipments and disrupted export timelines. Apparel exporters to the US and Europe, who rely on timely air delivery, now face the risk of cancelled orders and penalties from buyers. Many factories reportedly have ready-to-ship garments stockpiled.

Former BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim warned that the damage could exceed one billion dollars if the situation is not resolved quickly.

Passenger Flights Diverted

The fire also caused significant disruption to passenger flights. Around 23 international flights were diverted during the six-hour closure. Hundreds of passengers were stranded.

For instance, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight with 267 passengers bound for Kuwait was grounded after passengers had already boarded. Flights from Emirates, Himalaya Airlines, and IndiGo were redirected to alternative airports including Karachi, Kathmandu, and Kolkata.

Rising Concerns Over Series of Fires

This incident follows two other major fires in Bangladesh in the past five days—one at a chemical warehouse in Mirpur that killed 16 people, and another at factories in Chattogram’s EPZ area.

BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem urged the government to investigate whether this was a mere accident or part of a larger conspiracy, citing a suspicious pattern of recent fires in export-oriented garment factories.

Challenging Firefighting Conditions

Brigadier General Mohammad Zahid Kamal, Director General of the Fire Service, said strong winds made it particularly difficult to contain the blaze. “It was an open area, and the abundance of oxygen kept fueling the fire. The flames might not have been large on the ground, but the wind made it look much worse,” he explained.

Government Vows Investigation

The interim government released a statement acknowledging public concern. It assured that security agencies are conducting thorough investigations into all recent fire incidents. If credible evidence of sabotage or arson is found, the government promised swift and decisive action.