• Source:JND
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Dhaka airport fire: A major fire broke out on Saturday afternoon at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, forcing the suspension of all flight operations and triggering an extensive firefighting and rescue effort involving multiple national agencies.

The blaze, which began around 2:15 pm, engulfed a section of the cargo terminal where imported goods are typically stored, sending thick plumes of smoke over the airport and surrounding areas. Airport authorities immediately activated emergency protocols and called in reinforcements from several units.

Swift Emergency Response

Officials said the airport’s own fire section, joined by teams from the Bangladesh Air Force, rushed to the scene within minutes of the alarm. Soon after, additional support was mobilised from the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), and the Bangladesh Navy, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

By 4:15 pm, over 30 firefighting units were engaged in battling the flames, supported by two Bangladesh Air Force fire teams and naval personnel. “The fire originated near Gate No. 8 in the cargo village. It is a severe fire, and our teams are working tirelessly to bring it under control.” Talha Bin Jashim, an official at the Fire Service headquarters, confirmed this to the local media.

In a later update, the Fire Service reported that two platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) had joined rescue operations to assist in securing the area and managing logistics. Airport authorities said all aircraft parked near the cargo complex and maintenance hangars were towed to safety as a precautionary measure.

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Flights Diverted, Operations Halted

By late afternoon, firefighting teams had managed to contain the blaze to specific sections of the cargo area, though cooling operations were still in progress. Authorities are now conducting a preliminary investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. The Civil Aviation Authority also announced an immediate suspension of all landings and takeoffs from the airport. Several flights bound for Dhaka were diverted to Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, including a US-Bangla Airlines flight from Bangkok and an Air Arabia flight from the Middle East, officials confirmed.

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An official statement from HSIA Executive Director Group Captain SM Raqib Samad urged patience and cooperation, “We are handling an emergency. All fire units, including those from the Air Force and Civil Aviation, are working together. Please allow us to manage this safely, the situation is under control.”“There are no reports of casualties so far,” confirmed a senior CAAB official. “We will assess the extent of the damage once the area is safe to enter, ” he added.

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