Fire At Dhaka Airport's Cargo Section, All Flight Operations Suspended

A major fire broke out at the cargo terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday, forcing the suspension of all flights.

As per the officials said the fire started near Gate 8 around 2:30 pm. Fire Service spokesman Talha Bin Jashim said 36 units are working to douse the flames, The Daily Star reported.

The airport's executive director, Md Masudul Hasan Masud, confirmed the fire and said that emergency measures were in place. "All our aircraft are confirmed safe. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops," a spokesperson for the airport told The Daily Star.

Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh spokesperson said, "Landings and takeoffs of all aircraft have been suspended until further notice. All our aircraft are confirmed safe."

An Air India's flight from Delhi to Dhaka was also delayed due to closure of the airport. 

"Due to closure of Dhaka airport for all flight operations, flight AI237 scheduled to operate from Delhi to Dhaka on 18 October has been delayed. Consequently, the return flight AI238 set to operate from Dhaka to Delhi will also have a delayed departure," Air India said in a statement.

#WATCH | A fire breaks out at the cargo terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh. All flights suspended. More details awaited.

Visuals from the area. pic.twitter.com/ZHnvYFAxnR

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

Bangladesh's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said multiple agencies were assisting in efforts to contain the fire, including the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh Fire Service, Bangladesh Navy, and Bangladesh Air Force. Two fire units from the Air Force have joined the operation, along with two platoons from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Following the fire, all flights to and from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were temporarily suspended. Many inbound flights were diverted to Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet.

The airfield at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka will remain closed until 6:00 pm The Daily Star reported, citing the public relations officer at Shah Amanat International Airport, Chattogram.

This is the third major incident of fire in Bangladesh within this week days. On Thursday a massive fire destroyed an eight-storey factory at the Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ), though no casualties were reported. On Tuesday, a fire at a four-storey garment factory and adjacent chemical warehouse in Dhaka claimed the lives of 16 workers and left many others injured.