A significant fire broke out on the afternoon of October 18, 2025, at the cargo village area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The blaze caused widespread disruption to airport operations, including the suspension of flights and delays for passengers.
What Happened
The fire reportedly began around 2:30 pm in the cargo zone near Gate 8 of the airport. Multiple firefighting units — including those from the airport fire department, the Bangladesh Air Force, and the Bangladesh Navy — were deployed to control the flames. Altogether, more than two dozen firefighting teams worked for several hours before the situation was brought under control.
As the fire intensified, flight operations were temporarily suspended. Several incoming and outgoing flights were delayed or diverted, including international routes to Kuala Lumpur and Mumbai. Thick smoke was seen rising from the cargo area, prompting quick evacuation and emergency response measures.
Impact
The cargo village, which stores imported goods awaiting customs clearance, suffered heavy damage. Many goods were destroyed or affected by the fire and smoke. The incident caused major disruptions to both air passenger traffic and cargo logistics.
At the time of the incident, authorities confirmed that no casualties or injuries had been reported, although full assessments were still underway.
Investigation and Causes
Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Preliminary reports did not identify any specific reason, and authorities stated that it was too early to draw conclusions.
Previous incidents at HSIA’s cargo area have revealed fire safety concerns, including poor storage practices, inadequate ventilation, and electrical faults. Earlier warnings from CAAB had highlighted that many airport cargo zones were at high risk of fire due to the storage of flammable materials, overuse of electrical lines, and the presence of unauthorized operations within the cargo compound.
Broader Concerns
This incident has once again raised questions about airport safety standards and emergency preparedness in Bangladesh’s busiest airport. Experts suggest that stricter monitoring, improved fire safety systems, and proper training for cargo handlers are urgently needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Current Status
By the evening of October 18, firefighters successfully brought the situation under control, and flight operations gradually resumed. Authorities are now assessing the extent of damage to goods, property, and airport infrastructure. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.