Fire Erupts at Dhaka Airport, All Flights Suspended Amid Emergency Response

Flight operations at Bangladesh’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were brought to a standstill on Saturday after a massive fire broke out at the airport’s cargo terminal in the afternoon. Authorities suspended all domestic and international flights as thick plumes of smoke billowed over the country’s busiest airport.

According to officials, the blaze began around 2:30 pm local time in the “Cargo Village” section of the airport, which handles freight and storage operations. Several fire tenders from the airport’s internal fire unit, the national fire service, and the Bangladesh Air Force were rushed to the spot. Rescue operations began immediately as firefighters battled to bring the flames under control.

Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes, with staff and passengers evacuated from nearby terminals as precautionary measures. Videos circulating on social media showed dense smoke rising from the cargo area, triggering panic among onlookers. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, though initial reports suggest it may have originated from a storage facility housing electrical or flammable materials.

Airport authorities said that all arrivals and departures were suspended temporarily, and several incoming flights were diverted to nearby airports. Airlines including Biman Bangladesh and Air Arabia announced flight delays and rescheduling due to the incident.

Officials later stated that the fire was largely contained by evening, though a full damage assessment was still underway. No casualties or major injuries have been reported so far. Civil aviation authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of losses.

The suspension of operations at Dhaka’s main airport — a key South Asian aviation hub — has disrupted both cargo and passenger movement, with authorities working to restore normal operations as soon as safety checks are completed.