Fire at Dhaka Airport: Cargo Terminal Blaze Disrupts Flights

 A major fire at Dhaka’s airport cargo terminal halted flights on Oct 18, 2025. No casualties. Full update on cause, impact, and recovery.

Focus Keywords

• Dhaka airport fire

• Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

• Bangladesh cargo terminal fire

• Dhaka airport flight suspension

• HSIA fire update

• Bangladesh infrastructure safety

• October 2025 airport fire

• Cargo Village blaze Dhaka

BREAKING UPDATE | Fire at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport | October 18–20, 2025

Dhaka, Bangladesh — A major fire broke out on October 18, 2025, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), Bangladesh’s busiest aviation hub. The blaze originated in the Cargo Village terminal around 2:15 PM local time, sending thick black smoke billowing across the Dhaka skyline and triggering a full-scale emergency response.

What Happened?

• The fire erupted in the cargo handling area, a critical zone for both domestic and international freight operations.
• 37 firefighting units from the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence were deployed.
• Strong winds intensified the flames, making containment efforts more challenging.
• After 3 to 6 hours of intense firefighting, the blaze was brought under control by evening.

Impact on Flights

• All flights were suspended — both incoming and outgoing — as a precaution.
• Delays, cancellations, and diversions followed:
  • A Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong was forced to circle mid-air.
  • Several flights were rerouted to Kolkata (India) and Chittagong (Bangladesh).
• Operations resumed around 9:00–9:06 PM local time, with normalcy gradually restored.

Investigation Underway

• A seven-member government committee has been formed to investigate the cause.
• Initial reports suggest the fire began in a storage or handling zone within the cargo complex.
• No official word yet on structural damage or cargo loss.
• Importantly, no casualties have been reported, and all aircraft on the ground were confirmed safe.

Context: A Week of Fires in Bangladesh

This incident marks the third major fire in Bangladesh within a week, following:

• A deadly blaze at a chemical facility
• A tragic fire at a garment factory in Dhaka
  Together, these earlier incidents claimed at least 16 lives, raising urgent questions about fire safety protocols across the country.

Current Status (As of October 20, 2025)

• No new developments or disruptions have been reported at HSIA.
• Travelers are advised to check with airlines for any residual delays or schedule changes.
• The incident has reignited concerns about infrastructure safety, especially in high-traffic zones like airports and industrial hubs.

Summary

• Fire at HSIA Cargo Village on Oct 18
• 37 firefighting units deployed
• Flights suspended, then resumed by 9 PM
• Cause under investigation
• No casualties reported
• Third major fire in Bangladesh in one week

Bangladesh Faces Wave of Industrial Fires in October 2025 — Garment Sector, Airport, and EPZ Hit

INCIDENT 1: Dhaka Garment Factory & Chemical Warehouse Fire

Date: October 14, 2025
Location: Mirpur, Dhaka
Casualties: 16 confirmed deaths
Cause: Toxic chemical spread + locked exits
Impact: Deadliest fire since 2022; echoes Rana Plaza tragedy
Response: Fire units deployed; government probe ordered

INCIDENT 2: Chittagong EPZ Garment Factory Fire

Date: October 16, 2025
Location: EPZ, Chattogram
Casualties: None confirmed
Duration: 17 hours to control
Impact: Factory destroyed, production halted
Response: Army & emergency teams assisted; safety audits underway

INCIDENT 3: Dhaka Airport Cargo Terminal Fire

Date: October 18, 2025
Location: HSIA Cargo Village
Casualties: None
Damage: Estimated >$1 Billion in cargo (incl. nuclear equipment)
Flight Impact: All flights suspended till 9 PM; diversions to Kolkata & Chittagong
Response: 37 firefighting units + military forces; arson suspected

Additional Minor Fires

October 19: Fire near Central Hospital, Chattogram
Other Reports: Train fire in Dhaka, Sadarghat market, Malibagh kitchen market
Social Buzz: “City of Fire” trending across platforms

CONTEXT & CONCERNS

• These fires come amid a political transition post-Sheikh Hasina, with interim PM Muhammad Yunus ordering full investigations.
• Experts warn of sabotage attempts, possibly linked to destabilization efforts.
• The garment sector, which drives 80% of Bangladesh’s exports, is under pressure.
• Over 147,000 workers trained in fire safety, but infrastructure gaps remain.

CALL TO ACTION

1. Travelers & exporters: Check with airlines and logistics providers for updates.
2. Citizens: Stay informed via official channels like the Civil Aviation Authority and Fire Service & Civil Defence.
3. Unity & vigilance are key as Bangladesh navigates recovery and elections.
4. Citizens: Stay informed via official channels like the Civil Aviation Authority and Fire Service & Civil Defence.
5. Unity & vigilance are key as Bangladesh navigates recovery and elections.