Horrific fire at Shahjalal Airport: Hope for light after seven hours of darkness, but where is the shadow of sabotage?
Horrific fire at Shahjalal Airport: Hope for light after seven hours of darkness, but where is the shadow of sabotage?
In the northern part of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, where the country is connected to the world by air, is Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. This airport is not only a gateway for passengers, but also a main pillar of Bangladesh's economy. Millions of passengers, billions of taka worth of cargo, and international trade flow through here every day. But the terrible fire that broke out in the airport's cargo village at around 2 pm on Saturday (October 18, 2025) is not just an accident—it is a sign of a national crisis. Although the flight resumed at 9 pm after a dark journey of almost seven hours, the government's eyes are now fixed on finding evidence of sabotage. Was this incident a mere result of negligence, or a planned blow from an invisible hand? In today's article, we will dive deeper into this mystery, starting from the details of the incident to its possible impact and lessons for the future.
The Rise of Fire: What Happened That Afternoon?
Just minutes after 2 p.m. on Saturday, a plume of smoke began to rise from a warehouse in Cargo Village. At first, it seemed like a small fire, but within minutes, the flames had spread to all directions. The Cargo Village, where the country’s valuable imports and exports—such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, clothing and other sensitive goods—are stored, continued to rage. The fire was brought under control after about seven hours, around 9:20 p.m., with the combined efforts of 37 fire service units, the army and the air force. In the meantime, all flights at the airport—international and domestic—were temporarily suspended. Thousands of passengers were stranded, flight schedules were changed and international airlines were in turmoil.
The first flight from Dubai, FlyDubai, landed at 9:06 pm, bringing the airport back to life. But this seven-hour shutdown is no ordinary occurrence. It is a blow to the nerve center of the country's aviation communications. Airport Authority Executive Director SM Ragib Samad confirmed that everything has returned to normal soon after the fire was brought under control, but the damage assessment is still underway. Initial estimates suggest that goods worth crores of taka have been gutted, and some parts of the cargo terminal have been damaged.
Recent fire incidents: What happened next?
This incident is not isolated; it is part of a series. In the past week, a series of fires have broken out in different parts of the country, raising public suspicion. For example, on Thursday (October 16), a fire broke out at Adams Cap House in the EPZ in Chittagong, which was brought under control after about 17 hours. The eight-storey building was completely gutted, although no lives were lost due to the quick rescue of the workers. Earlier, a fire broke out at a garment factory in Mirpur in the capital, a 10-hour power outage in Parbatipur, and other minor and major incidents. Of these, the fire at Shahjalal Airport is the most worrying, as it is an international facility.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiur Rahman expressed deep concern over the incident, saying, "The airport is a symbol of the country's image. Fires at such a place are clear evidence of administrative mismanagement and safety deficiencies." Syed Sultan Uddin Mahmud, executive director of the Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies, also believes, "There is serious negligence in chemical safety in the country. These fires are proof of that." Seeing this sequence, many people are asking questions: Are these really accidents, or part of a planned sabotage?
Government action: Vigilance in search of evidence of sabotage
The interim government has reacted immediately to the incident. A statement issued by the press wing of the chief advisor said, "The government expresses deep concern over the recent incidents of fire in various parts of the country. If any credible evidence of sabotage or arson is found, immediate and firm action will be taken. No opportunity will be given to disrupt public life and the political process through any criminal activity or incitement." The statement has sparked hope in the public, but at the same time it has raised questions: How fast and transparent will the process of finding evidence be?
Steps have already been taken for the investigation. Biman Bangladesh Airlines has formed a 6-member committee, which will determine the cause of the fire, damage and responsibility within 5 working days and submit a report. The fire service and the airport authorities have also formed separate committees. Intelligence agencies have been instructed to verify that there is no evidence of sabotage. These steps seem to indicate that the government has become truly vigilant this time. But the question of the people remains: Will these investigations be truly impartial, or will they be tainted by political influence?
Economic and social impact: a major blow
The impact of this fire is not limited to the airport; it has affected the entire economy. Among the goods that burned in the Cargo Village, many were imported goods waiting to go to the domestic market. Initial estimates put the damage at several crores of taka, which is a big blow to businessmen. The suspension of international flights has caused losses to airlines running into lakhs of taka, and passengers have been inconvenienced innumerable times. The seven-hour delay has significantly reduced the revenue of Shahjalal Airport alone.
Socially, this incident has spread panic among the public. Airport passengers are now concerned about security. Especially international passengers, who see Bangladesh for the first time through this gateway, may have a negative impression in their minds. The country's image is being damaged, and foreign investors may question security. In addition, an atmosphere of fear has been created among workers and activists. If these fires are sabotage, then it is a signal of political unrest, which will further complicate public life.
Safety Lessons: Warnings for the Future
The biggest lesson from this incident is the weakness of the security system. These fires have shown how weak fire safety standards are in industrial areas, warehouses and establishments in a rapidly developing country like Bangladesh. The lack of proper storage of chemicals, modernization of fire alarm systems and regular training is evident here. The government needs to take action now: make safety audits mandatory, increase intelligence surveillance and run public awareness campaigns. If evidence of sabotage is found, there is no way out except to take strict legal action.
On the other hand, we can learn from this crisis that safety is a priority in the path of development. To strengthen facilities like Shahjalal Airport, not only the infrastructure but also the awareness of the people must be strengthened. The people must know why these incidents are happening and how to prevent them.
Moving towards the light
The seven-hour darkness at Shahjalal Airport is over, but its shadow still looms. The government's promise to find evidence of sabotage is a ray of hope, but how effective it will be, time will tell. Bangladesh is a committed country, where security must be maintained to maintain the momentum of economic development. This incident has given us all a message: be it negligence or sabotage, we will stand together and confront it. Hopefully, the truth will soon be revealed and the airport will once again become a safe gateway to the skies. For the nation, for the future—let this fight continue.
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