Hold to account those responsible for the Dhaka airport fire
An official probe into the devastating October 18 fire at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's import cargo complex has found that unsafe storage practices and a lack of fire protection systems were responsible for the blaze. Improper storage of products such as laptops and mobile phones containing lithium-ion batteries, classified as "dangerous goods," has also been cited as a major cause. The airport, moreover, did not have the necessary demolition equipment to tear down the walls of the courier building's corrugated tin structure, where the fire is thought to have started. It was only when the Fire Service arrived with bulldozers that the source of the fire could be reached. There were also no fire hydrants near the complex, forcing firefighters to fetch water from distant points.
The investigation by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the ground handler of the cargo complex, also found that the International Air Express Association of Bangladesh (IAEAB), which had previously subleased the area from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), exposed the area to severe fire risk by constructing a tin-shed courier facility inside, in violation of the rules. CAAB's negligence, therefore, must be held to account. Despite a letter from Biman in January 2024 warning that the cargo complex was half the required size, leading to delays in customs clearance and cargo build-up, nothing was done.
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The probe report further found that the fire spread over piles of uncleared cargo blocking the roads, making it difficult for fire trucks to pass through. Biman is required to list uncleared cargo after 21 days and hand it over to customs for auction—none of which was done on time, leading to the pile-up. In January this year, a committee had recommended that all "dangerous goods" cargo should be relocated to an unused barrack on the north side of the airport complex. This, obviously, was not followed through. The level of mismanagement and negligence evident in this scenario is quite shocking. Just think: in 2011, Biman had notified the airport's then director that the cargo village and complex lacked a permanent fire suppression system, warning that delays could destroy goods worth thousands of crores. And it finally did.
CAAB must acknowledge and address the serious gaps in the airport's fire safety measures. As recommended by the investigators, lease agreements for the cargo complex must clearly define each cargo stakeholder's responsibilities regarding fire safety. Automatic fire detection and fire suppression systems must be installed across all warehouses, cargo sheds, and service buildings. Goods classified as "dangerous" must be stored separately in areas far away from regular cargo. Most of all, CAAB, Biman and all relevant entities handling cargo must work in coordination—and with extreme efficiency—when it comes to maintaining safety protocols.
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