Massive Fire at Dhaka Airport Cargo Complex Destroys $1 Billion in Goods, Threatening Bangladesh’s Garment Exports
A massive fire that tore through the import cargo terminal at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has caused catastrophic losses for Bangladesh’s garment industry — one of the world’s largest textile exporters. The blaze, which broke out on Saturday afternoon, gutted several cargo storage facilities, destroying imported raw materials, apparel shipments, and vital product samples during the country’s busiest export season.
Officials and industry leaders estimate that the total losses could exceed $1 billion, dealing a heavy blow to Bangladesh’s export-driven economy. As of Sunday, smoke still lingered over the blackened remains of the complex while firefighters and airport authorities worked to assess the full scale of the damage.
‘A Devastating Scene’: Cargo Terminals Reduced to Ashes
“We have witnessed a devastating scene inside,” said Faisal Samad, director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). “The entire import section has been reduced to ashes.”
According to Samad, the fire destroyed large consignments of imported textiles, fabrics, zippers, dyes, and machinery parts — all critical for ongoing production cycles in garment factories across the country.
Senior BGMEA vice president Inamul Haq Khan confirmed that many of the goods lost were “urgent air shipments”, including finished garments and time-sensitive product samples meant for global retailers.
“These samples are essential for securing new buyers and expanding orders,” Khan said. “Losing them means our members may miss out on future opportunities, especially when international clients are already reviewing next year’s contracts.”
Critical Loss During Peak Export Season
The cargo village that caught fire is one of Bangladesh’s busiest logistics hubs, processing over 600 metric tons of dry cargo daily. During the October-to-December export peak, that figure nearly doubles as factories rush to ship goods to major markets in Europe and North America before the holiday retail season.
“Every day, around 200 to 250 factories send their products by air,” Khan added. “Given that scale, the financial impact of this disaster is massive.”
Industry analysts warn that the fire could delay export deliveries, disrupt production lines, and cause major backlogs in international orders. Garment manufacturers are now scrambling to assess inventory losses and coordinate alternative supply chains to meet existing commitments.
Cause of the Fire Still Unknown
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the blaze. Investigations are underway, with teams from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), the Fire Service, and the Bangladesh Police examining whether faulty wiring, chemical storage, or negligence triggered the inferno.
The fire reportedly spread quickly due to the flammable materials stored in the cargo sheds, including textile fabrics, cardboard boxes, and packaging materials. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as flames engulfed the import section, with firefighters battling thick smoke and intense heat for several hours before bringing the situation under control.
Airport operations outside the cargo area remained largely unaffected, although security officials temporarily restricted access to certain terminals as a precaution.
Series of Fires Raises Safety Concerns
This incident marks the third major industrial fire in Bangladesh in less than a week, raising urgent questions about workplace safety and infrastructure vulnerabilities in the country’s manufacturing and logistics sectors.
On Tuesday, a massive blaze at a garment factory and adjacent chemical warehouse in Dhaka killed at least 16 people and injured many others. Just two days later, on Thursday, another fire destroyed a seven-storey garment factory building in the Chittagong Export Processing Zone, though no fatalities were reported.
The government has promised a thorough investigation into all three incidents. “Security services are investigating all cases thoroughly,” an official statement said. “Any credible evidence of sabotage or arson will be met with a swift and resolute response.”
Authorities have also urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation, assuring that “no act of criminality or provocation will be allowed to disrupt public life or the political process.”
Bangladesh’s Garment Industry Faces Setback
Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest apparel exporter after China, supplying leading international brands such as Walmart, H&M, Zara, and Gap. The sector employs around four million workers, most of them women, and contributes more than 10 percent of the country’s GDP.
The airport fire, industry leaders warn, could pose a serious setback for this vital sector. Many factories depend on imported raw materials and accessories flown in daily to maintain production schedules. With those supplies destroyed, production delays could ripple through the entire manufacturing chain.
“The garment industry operates on tight timelines,” said Abdul Mannan, a logistics expert based in Dhaka. “Even a few days’ delay can cause missed shipments, financial penalties, and damage to long-term business relationships with international buyers.”
He added that insurers and freight operators are already evaluating claims, but it may take weeks to determine the full extent of financial losses and liability.
Economic Impact and Export Challenges
The fire comes at a time when Bangladesh’s economy is already under pressure from rising inflation, a weakening currency, and global supply chain disruptions. The loss of export-ready goods and raw materials will likely worsen the situation, potentially reducing foreign exchange earnings in the final quarter of the year.
Exporters are also worried about how the incident might affect Bangladesh’s reputation as a reliable sourcing hub for global retailers.
“Foreign buyers expect timely delivery,” explained Shaila Rahman, an apparel exporter from Gazipur. “Delays caused by the fire could lead to cancelled orders and push some clients to look elsewhere, like Vietnam or India.”
The BGMEA has called on the government to support affected exporters through emergency loans, insurance facilitation, and priority customs clearance for replacement shipments. The association also urged authorities to review fire safety standards at all major logistics and cargo facilities.
Government Vows Action and Reforms
In response to mounting criticism, the Bangladesh government has pledged to strengthen fire prevention protocols and increase monitoring at industrial zones and airports.
“The fire at Shahjalal Airport is a national tragedy,” said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. “We will identify those responsible for any negligence and take strict legal action. Our priority now is to restore cargo operations and ensure this never happens again.”
He also confirmed that emergency task forces had been deployed to assist airport authorities in recovering salvageable goods and expediting the reopening of the damaged cargo sections.
Firefighters, meanwhile, remained on site through Sunday to prevent any remaining hotspots from reigniting. Officials said a full damage assessment report will be released once the investigation concludes.
A Wake-Up Call for Bangladesh’s Export Infrastructure
Experts say the fire highlights the urgent need for modernized infrastructure and stronger safety oversight across Bangladesh’s export logistics chain.
“This tragedy underscores how vulnerable our supply systems are,” said economist Dr. Saifuddin Ahmed. “We’ve made great progress in manufacturing standards over the past decade, but logistics and warehouse safety remain weak points that need immediate attention.”
Industry leaders have called for automated fire detection systems, better emergency training, and stricter building codes in all export-oriented facilities.
Despite the losses, the garment sector remains determined to recover. “We’ve faced challenges before — from factory disasters to the pandemic — and each time we’ve rebuilt stronger,” said Faisal Samad of BGMEA. “We will do so again.”
Conclusion: Rebuilding After the Blaze
As smoke clears from the ruins of Dhaka’s airport cargo complex, Bangladesh’s garment exporters are bracing for a difficult recovery period. The financial cost is staggering, but the long-term challenge lies in rebuilding trust with global buyers and ensuring such a disaster never happens again.
With investigations underway and international attention focused on the country’s manufacturing resilience, this tragedy may yet serve as a turning point — prompting long-overdue reforms in safety, logistics, and crisis preparedness across the industry that powers Bangladesh’s economy.