A massive fire broke out on Saturday afternoon, October 18, 2025, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, triggering a large-scale emergency response and temporarily suspending all flight operations.
The Incident
Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke rising from the cargo village area of the airport around 2:30 p.m. Airport authorities immediately halted flight movements and activated emergency protocols as the blaze spread through the cargo warehouses.
More than twenty firefighting units from the Fire Service and Civil Defence, along with teams from the Bangladesh Air Force and Bangladesh Navy, rushed to the scene. After several hours of intense effort, firefighters were able to bring the situation under control.
Airport Operations Affected
During the fire, all incoming and outgoing flights were temporarily suspended, causing delays for hundreds of passengers. Some international flights scheduled to depart from Dhaka were delayed, while a few incoming aircraft were diverted to nearby airports as a safety precaution.
Passengers inside the terminals were evacuated as a preventive measure, but there were no reports of casualties or injuries.
Possible Causes Under Review
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire. Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) stated that an investigation committee has been formed to identify the source of the blaze and evaluate possible safety lapses.
Initial reports suggest that the fire may have started in a storage area containing imported goods awaiting customs clearance. The cargo village has long been a critical yet vulnerable part of the airport’s infrastructure due to heavy traffic, electrical wiring, and combustible materials.
Previous Safety Concerns
Experts note that this is not the first time fire incidents have occurred in Dhaka’s airport cargo facilities. Past incidents have revealed weaknesses in fire safety management, electrical maintenance, and warehouse regulation.
CAAB had earlier issued nationwide alerts to improve fire prevention systems in all major airports, urging better inspections and the removal of unauthorized storage units.
Aftermath and Recovery
By the evening, the fire was fully contained, and flight operations gradually resumed after safety inspections. Authorities are assessing the extent of property loss, which may include goods worth millions of taka.
The government has announced plans to review airport fire safety protocols and enhance emergency readiness across all aviation facilities in Bangladesh.