A devastating fire tore through the cargo import terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday, October 18, leaving Bangladesh’s vital garment industry reeling with estimated losses of up to $1 billion. The blaze, which erupted during the peak export season, reduced storage areas to ashes, destroying raw materials, finished apparel, and crucial product samples essential for securing international orders.

Faisal Samad, director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), described the scene as “devastating,” noting that the entire import section of the cargo complex was obliterated. “The financial impact is staggering,” he said, highlighting the loss of “urgent air shipments” critical to the $47 billion garment sector, which employs four million workers and accounts for over 10% of Bangladesh’s GDP.

The fire forced a temporary suspension of all flights at Dhaka’s busiest airport, a key logistics hub handling 600 metric tons of dry cargo daily—doubling during the October-to-December rush. Inamul Haq Khan, BGMEA senior vice-president, emphasized the loss of product samples, which are vital for attracting new buyers and expanding orders. “These samples are our gateway to future business. Their destruction could cost us significant market opportunities,” he warned.

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The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities yet to determine whether it was accidental or deliberate. This incident marks the third major fire in Bangladesh this week, following a deadly blaze at a Dhaka garment factory and chemical warehouse that claimed 16 lives on Tuesday, and another that razed a seven-storey garment factory in Chittagong’s export processing zone on Thursday. The government has vowed a thorough probe, stating, “Any credible evidence of sabotage or arson will face swift and resolute action,” while urging the public to remain calm to avoid disruptions to public life or the political process.

The cargo village at Hazrat Shahjalal Airport is a lifeline for Bangladesh’s apparel industry, the world’s second-largest after China, supplying global giants like Walmart, H&M, and Gap. With 200 to 250 factories relying on air shipments daily, the fire’s timing couldn’t be worse, threatening delays in meeting international delivery deadlines and potentially eroding buyer confidence. As firefighters continued to battle lingering smoke on Sunday, airport officials conducted damage assessments, working to restore operations.

The ripple effects of this disaster could extend beyond immediate financial losses, posing challenges for an industry already navigating global supply chain pressures. As Bangladesh races to recover, the focus remains on rebuilding infrastructure and safeguarding the economic backbone that millions depend on.

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