Bangladesh airport fire causes over $1 billion in losses

New Delhi, Oct 20: Business leaders in Bangladesh have warned of losses exceeding $1 billion following a massive fire that ravaged the cargo logistics section of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday, reports BBC.

The blaze, which took 27 hours to extinguish, destroyed large quantities of clothes, fabrics, and raw materials, dealing a severe blow to the country’s export-driven garment industry. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

According to export associations as quoted by BBC, the destruction of stored goods, including essential product samples, could disrupt shipments and jeopardise future export contracts. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has asked members to submit damage reports to assess total losses. Local media said at least 35 people were injured while trying to control the fire, which forced a temporary suspension of airport operations. The cargo village, one of Bangladesh’s busiest logistics hubs, handles high export volumes ahead of the Christmas season, including garments, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

The fire marks Bangladesh’s third major blaze in a week, following deadly incidents at a warehouse in Dhaka and a clothing factory in Chittagong. The interim government has pledged strict action if evidence of sabotage or arson emerges. Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest clothing exporter after China, earns around $40 billion annually from garment exports, a key pillar of its economy.