Major Fire Erupts at Dhaka’s Airport Cargo Zone, Flights Temporarily Suspended

October 18, 2025

Bangladesh: A massive fire broke out this afternoon (18 October) in the cargo area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, prompting an immediate suspension of flight operations. A combined force of 32 firefighting units has been deployed to battle the blaze, officials confirmed.

Swift Emergency Response

The airport’s own fire section and the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) fire unit were the first to respond, rushing to the scene to initiate containment efforts.

According to Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) official Talha Bin Jashim, the fire was reported at 2:30 p.m., originating in the cargo village near Gate No. 8 of the airport.

Multi-Agency Operation

Later updates from the Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) confirmed that the firefighting efforts have expanded into a coordinated, multi-agency operation.

“Bangladesh Fire Service, two fire units from the Bangladesh Air Force, and the Bangladesh Civil Aviation are working to extinguish the fire that occurred in the cargo section of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport,” the ISPR stated.

A subsequent ISPR update further confirmed the Bangladesh Navy’s involvement, joining the efforts to control the inferno.

At the time of reporting, twenty firefighting units were actively working at the site, while the remaining teams were en route to support the operation.

The temporary suspension of flights led to disruptions in both domestic and international schedules, with airport authorities prioritizing safety until the situation is brought fully under control.