Bangladesh: All flights out of Dhaka have been suspended after a massive fire erupted at the cargo terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, sending smoke plumes visible from a distance and prompting a large-scale emergency response.
The blaze reportedly began near Gate 8 at around 2:30 pm. Fire Service spokesman Talha Bin Jashim said nine firefighting units were immediately dispatched to the scene, with fifteen additional units on the way. Talha Bin Zasim, an officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Media Cell, later confirmed that 36 units are now working to control the flames, with reinforcements standing by.
Airport official Masudul Hasan was quoted as saying that operations have been postponed, but all aircraft remain safe.
The firefighting operation is a coordinated effort involving the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, the Fire Service, and two fire units from the Bangladesh Air Force, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Navy have also joined the operation to ensure safety in and around the airport, reported Prothomalo.
Authorities reported no immediate casualties or significant damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This incident marks the third major fire in Bangladesh this week. Earlier, a chemical warehouse blaze on Tuesday claimed 16 lives, and another fire destroyed a garment factory building in an export processing zone in Chittagong.
