The fire at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is believed to have started in the import courier section, according to Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddique, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (BCB).
Speaking at a press briefing at the BCB headquarters on Tuesday (October 21) at 11 a.m., he said the exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, but initial indications point to the import courier area as the origin. Several agencies are investigating, and the final cause will be known after their reports.
During the fire, 15 flights were diverted to different routes. Due to the suspension of flight operations, passengers who were stranded were sent to their scheduled destinations by 4 p.m. the next day.
Regarding the delay in fire service response, the chairman explained that the piled-up cargo on the apron in front of the cargo village hindered the fire trucks from accessing the site promptly. The ground handling work is managed by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, which had stacked cargo from various airlines in that area, causing the initial obstruction.
When asked if the fire incident would affect the airport’s rating or reputation, the chairman stated that it would not impact the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. However, taking proper measures following the accident report could enhance the airport’s image.
The investigation body (EAB) also emphasized that no one can avoid responsibility for the fire incident.
