Fire Breaks Out At Bangladesh’s Main Airport, Flight Operations Suspended

DHAKA (Bangladesh), Oct 18 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- A massive fire broke out at the cargo section of Bangladesh’s main Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital, Dhaka, on Saturday, suspending all flight and landing operations, according to airport and fire service officials, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing local broadcasters.

Thick smoke engulfed the area, particularly the cargo section, where imported goods are mainly stored.

As many as 36 units of firefighters were deployed to extinguish the blaze, while five more units were on the way to join the efforts, according to the Fire Service Media Cell.

The Bangladesh Army, Air Force, and Navy, along with two Border Guard platoons, also joined the operation.

According to local TV reports, some people, including firefighters, were injured during the operation.

Further details regarding the cause of the fire and the number of injuries have yet to be released.

Local Channel24 TV, citing security guards, said a large quantity of garments, along with other goods, was stored in the cargo section.

Explosions of chemical cans were also heard, intensifying the fire, it added.

Saturday’s incident occurred just days after two massive fires broke out earlier this week — one at a garment factory in Dhaka’s Mirpur neighbourhood, which killed at least 16 people, and another at a factory in the Export Processing Zone in Chattogram.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU