Bangladesh airport fire under control, flight operations resume after hours of disruption

Dhaka: A fire that broke out at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Friday afternoon has been extinguished, with flight operations now back to normal, according to officials. The incident, which began at around 2:15 pm local time, was contained through the joint efforts of the fire service and airport authorities.

In an official statement, the interim government confirmed that there were no casualties. “The fire was brought under control through the quick and coordinated action of the fire service and airport authorities. No casualties were reported,” it said.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism confirmed that an advisor was present on-site to oversee operations. “The Honourable Advisor to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is personally at the airport and closely monitoring the entire situation,” the ministry said.

Flight operations, which were temporarily halted, resumed at 9:06 pm local time, restoring normalcy at Bangladesh’s main international gateway.

Authorities have launched a seven-member investigation committee to determine the cause of the fire and prevent future incidents. “An investigation will be launched soon to determine the cause of the incident. The source of the fire will be identified, and necessary steps will be taken to ensure such incidents do not recur,” the statement added.

The interim government also addressed growing public concerns about a series of recent fires across the country. It assured citizens that all incidents would be thoroughly investigated and that security services were working to prevent sabotage. “Any credible evidence of sabotage or arson will be met with a swift and resolute response,” the statement said, stressing that no act of criminality or provocation would be allowed to disrupt public life or the political process.

The fire, which started at the airport’s cargo village, sent plumes of smoke into the sky, briefly disrupting flight schedules at one of South Asia’s busiest airports. Emergency responders, including the fire service, airport police, and security personnel, coordinated to control the blaze within hours.

According to the Bangladesh Fire Service, several fire engines were deployed to the site to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby facilities. Preliminary reports suggest that stored materials may have fuelled the fire, though the exact cause remains unknown pending investigation.

In response, the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry established a high-level seven-member committee to examine the cause, identify lapses, and propose safety measures. Officials said the findings would be made public once the investigation concludes.

The interim government, addressing broader national concerns, linked the incident to a string of unexplained fires across Bangladesh in recent weeks, calling for unity and vigilance. “If these fires prove to be acts of sabotage aimed at sowing panic and division, they will succeed only if we allow fear to overtake our reason and resolve,” the government stated.

Flights resumed later in the evening after safety checks were completed, easing travel disruptions for thousands of passengers. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Bangladesh’s main international hub, handles more than 20 million passengers annually and serves as a vital link for trade and travel.

The investigation is ongoing.