A massive fire broke out on Saturday in the cargo section of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, leading to the suspension of all flights. According to local media reports, the blaze began near Gate 8 around 2:30pm local time, prompting emergency crews to rush to the scene. The Daily Star reported that 36 firefighting units are battling the flames as authorities work to bring the situation under control.
Airport officials confirmed that all aircraft are safe, and no injuries have been reported so far. However, flight operations remain halted as firefighters continue to douse the fire. “The airfield will remain closed until 6pm today,” said Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, the public relations officer at Shah Amanat International Airport. Meanwhile, several agencies — including the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, Fire Service, Navy, Air Force, and Border Guard — have joined hands to contain the blaze.
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As a result of the closure, at least five incoming flights were diverted to other airports. Two flights each from US-Bangla Airlines and Biman Bangladesh Airlines were rerouted to Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram. Other flights landed at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, causing disruptions to both domestic and international operations. Passengers at Dhaka Airport faced long waits as departure schedules were delayed.
Authorities said the diverted flights will return to Dhaka once the situation normalises. Firefighters are continuing efforts to prevent the blaze from spreading further within the cargo area. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and officials are expected to conduct an investigation once it is fully extinguished.
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Although Reuters could not immediately verify the reports, visuals from the scene showed thick black smoke rising from the airport premises. Emergency sirens echoed across the capital as responders coordinated one of the largest firefighting operations in recent months. Normal flight operations are expected to resume later today if conditions improve.