Massive Fire Erupts at Dhaka Airport: Flights Diverted, Indigo Delhi-Dhaka Plane Lands in Kolkata- Video

Dhaka Airport Fire: Dozens of Flights Disrupted as Blaze Erupts in Cargo Zone
A massive fire broke out on Saturday afternoon, October 18, 2025, at the cargo area of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, leading to chaos and large-scale disruption in flight operations. The sudden blaze forced authorities to suspend airport activities temporarily while several domestic and international flights were diverted or delayed for safety reasons.

According to airport officials, the fire started near Gate No. 8, inside the cargo village, around 2:30 PM local time. Within minutes, thick black smoke covered parts of the airport, alarming passengers and staff. The Fire Service and Civil Defence Department swiftly deployed 36 fire-fighting units, assisted by Bangladesh Air Force fire brigades and other emergency response teams. Together, they launched a joint operation to control the situation.

VIDEO | Dhaka, Bangladesh: A fire broke out at a section of the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this afternoon. More details awaited.#Dhaka #AirportFire #HazratShahjalal

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/flGkHso2xq

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

Authorities Rush to Contain the Blaze

Fire officer Talha Bin Jashim from the Dhaka Fire Service confirmed that multiple fire-fighting units were on-site, working tirelessly to douse the flames. “All our teams are engaged in full force. The priority is to ensure no loss of life and to bring the situation under control,” he stated.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) later issued an official statement confirming that teams from the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, Fire Service, and Air Force were coordinating efforts to extinguish the fire. Despite the intensity of the blaze, authorities are yet to report any casualties.

Flights Diverted and Operations Suspended

The fire severely impacted air traffic, with several flights diverted to nearby airports. As per Business Standard News, the affected flights included both international and domestic routes:

• Batik Air flight OD-163, headed to Kuala Lumpur, and IndiGo flight 6E-1116 to Mumbai were stuck on the taxiway.

• US-Bangla Airlines’ flight from Bangkok to Dhaka was diverted to Chattogram (Chittagong).

• IndiGo’s Delhi–Dhaka flight made an emergency landing in Kolkata.

• Air Arabia’s Sharjah–Dhaka flight was also rerouted to Chattogram.

• Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Dhaka was forced to circle in the air after failing to land due to low visibility caused by smoke.

• Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ flight from Saidpur to Dhaka was redirected to Chattogram.

• Meanwhile, another US-Bangla flight from Chattogram to Dhaka returned to its origin shortly after takeoff due to the developing emergency.

Passengers at Dhaka Airport reported scenes of panic and confusion as announcements informed them of flight delays and diversions. Airport entry gates were temporarily closed, and security personnel restricted movement to prevent congestion near the affected area.

Visuals Show Flames Engulfing Cargo Area

Videos circulating on social media showed intense flames and thick smoke billowing from the cargo village section of the airport. Fire trucks and emergency vehicles could be seen rushing into the complex as responders battled to contain the fire. The exact cause of the blaze has not yet been identified, but preliminary reports suggest it may have originated from stored cargo materials.

Eyewitnesses described the situation as “terrifying,” with visibility inside certain areas reduced to near zero. Some cargo employees were safely evacuated in time, while others were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

Investigation Underway

Authorities have launched an immediate investigation to determine the cause of the incident. The Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority has assured that passenger safety remains the top priority, and operations will resume only after full clearance from the fire department.

As of the latest update, firefighting operations are still ongoing, though the flames have been largely brought under control. Officials said the situation is being closely monitored, and technical teams are assessing the extent of damage to airport infrastructure.

Impact on Air Travel

The fire caused widespread disruptions across the region’s flight network, particularly affecting routes to and from India, Malaysia, and the Middle East. Passengers stranded in Kolkata and Chattogram are being assisted by respective airlines with food, accommodation, and rebooking options.

This incident marks one of the most significant operational emergencies at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols at high-traffic cargo facilities.