Bangladesh airport fire destroys US$1 billion in garments, exports

Officials are investigating possible ‘sabotage or arson’ after the catastrophic blaze at Dhaka’s main airport cargo complex

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Smoke rises from the international airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 11:03pm, 19 Oct 2025Updated: 8:35am, 20 Oct 2025

Bangladeshi traders have been left counting the heavy cost of a devastating fire that tore through the cargo complex of the country’s main international airport this weekend, as the government investigates possible arson.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) gave an initial assessment on Sunday of “devastating” direct and indirect costs of as much as US$1 billion.

Firefighters had brought the blaze under control and flight operations resumed late Saturday, airport executive director S.M. Ragib Samad told reporters, after thick black smoke swept across the runway, forcing authorities to briefly suspend flights.

But Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s cargo complex – which stores fabrics, garment accessories, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and other imports – was left in ruins.

The National Board of Revenue also said it was assessing the damage.

Bangladesh is the world’s second-biggest garment manufacturer, and textile and garment production accounts for about 80 per cent of exports.

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