A major fire broke out on October 18, 2025, at the cargo terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, leading to the suspension of all flight operations. The fire started near Gate 8 of the airport's cargo village around 2:30 PM local time, an area where imported goods are stored. Thick black smoke was visible from a distance as the blaze spread rapidly, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving multiple agencies.
Emergency firefighting efforts involved 36 units initially, with reinforcements from various forces including the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh Fire Service, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, and Border Guard Bangladesh. Two fire units from the Air Force and two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh joined the efforts to contain the fire. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) highlighted the coordinated action amongst the agencies.
Flight operations, including landings and takeoffs, were suspended indefinitely as safety measures were implemented, but all aircraft at the airport were confirmed to be safe with no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage to planes or the airport infrastructure. The cause of the blaze remained under investigation at the time of reporting.
This fire is notable as it is one of three major fire incidents Bangladesh experienced within a span of five days, including a previous tragic fire at a chemical warehouse in Dhaka causing fatalities. Authorities continued to monitor the situation closely as firefighting operations progressed.
Summary of Key Facts:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date and Time | October 18, 2025, around 2:30 PM |
| Location | Cargo terminal, Hazrat Shahjalal Intl. Airport, Dhaka |
| Fire Origin | Near Gate 8 in the cargo village |
| Firefighting Units | 36 units initially, including Air Force and Border Guard support |
| Agencies Involved | Civil Aviation Authority, Fire Service, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard |
| Flight Operations | Suspended indefinitely |
| Aircraft Safety | All aircraft confirmed safe |
| Casualties / Damage | No casualties reported; damage extent unclear |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Context | Third major fire in Bangladesh in recent days |
This incident disrupted airport operations and raised concerns about fire safety standards at critical infrastructure sites in Bangladesh.