A major fire erupted today around 2:30 PM in the cargo area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The intensity of the blaze was so severe that airport authorities were compelled to halt all flight operations immediately. As a direct consequence, a flight en route from Delhi. To Dhaka had to be rerouted and diverted to Kolkata. The cause of the accident isn't yet known, while following the fire, dense black smoke billowed into the sky, Importantly degrading air quality in the surrounding areas. Experts have expressed concerns about potential respiratory issues for residents.
Extent of the Damage and Rescue Efforts
Fire service officials reported that the fire originated in the cargo village near Gate No. 8 of the airport. The blaze specifically affected the import cargo complex building, located near Gate No. 3 within the cargo village, and has since spread throughout the entire structure, while the flames were so fierce that the entire cargo area was gutted. The airport administration has indefinitely suspended all landings and takeoffs, while officials are closely monitoring the situation and assessing the full extent of the damage.
Eyewitness Accounts and Potential Losses
Mohammed Russel Mollah, a driver for Voyager Aviation, a company involved in loading and unloading. Aircraft cargo, told Prothom Alo that his vehicle was approximately 100 meters from Gate No. 8 when the fire started, while he quickly moved his car and helped evacuate people trapped inside. While no casualties have been reported so far, there is a strong apprehension of substantial loss to freight and goods. The cargo village has 12 gates, and the import cargo complex has 3 gates; the fire started on the north side of the complex, next to Gate No, while 3.
