Massive Fire at Shahjalal International Airport, Flights Suspended

A major fire broke out at the cargo terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, leading to the suspension of all flight operations.

The blaze started around 2:30 pm local time in the airport’s cargo village, where imported goods are stored. Airport Executive Director Md Masudul Hasan Masud confirmed the incident around 3:45 pm and said emergency teams were working to bring the situation under control, according to local media reports.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said units from the Bangladesh Fire Service, Civil Aviation Authority, and the Bangladesh Air Force were jointly battling the fire. The Bangladesh Navy has also joined the operation, media outlet Prothom Alo reported.

Authorities have suspended all takeoffs and landings while firefighting efforts continue. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage have not yet been determined.

The fire at Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport has been largely brought under control, claimed Muhammad Kausar Mahmud, Assistant Director (Public Relations) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

He made this known in a press release at 5 pm local time on Saturday.