Massive fire breaks out in cargo section of Shahjalal International Airport

A massive fire broke out in the cargo section of Shahjalal International Airport at around 2:30 pm on Saturday (October 18). Air traffic was temporarily suspended as the fire spread rapidly. Several Dhaka-bound flights were diverted to alternative routes for safety reasons, and several flights have already landed safely in Chittagong and Kolkata.

Bangladesh Fire Service Media Cell Officer Talha Bin Jasim said the fire broke out in the cargo village at Gate 8. Currently, 31 units of the fire service are working to control the fire, and 5 more units are being sent to the scene.

Airport sources said that Batik Air flight OD-163 from Dhaka to Kuala Lumpur and Indigo flight 6E-1116 from Dhaka to Mumbai are waiting on the taxiway. A US-Bangla Airlines flight from Bangkok to Dhaka landed in Chittagong, an Indigo flight from Delhi to Dhaka landed in Kolkata, and an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah to Dhaka landed in Chittagong. A Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Dhaka is circling the sky.

In addition, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Saidpur to Dhaka landed in Chittagong. Similarly, a US-Bangla Airlines flight from Chittagong to Dhaka also returned to Chittagong.

Spokesperson for the Executive Director of Shahjalal International Airport Md. Masudul Hasan Masud said that a fire broke out in a part next to the cargo section. The Fire Service, Bangladesh Air Force and the airport authorities are working quickly to control the situation.

Assistant Director and Public Relations Officer of Bebichak Mohammad Kausar Mahmud said that the airport fire section, the air force fire unit and other related agencies are trying to control the fire quickly at the scene.

A decision will be made after monitoring the situation as to when flights and air traffic will return to normal.