The government has proposed inviting the United Kingdom’s Scotland Yard together with authorities in Australia, China and Turkey to investigate the root cause of fire at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, press secretary to the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam, said.
The fire erupted in the cargo facility on Saturday afternoon, disrupting operations and raising major concerns about how the blaze began.
The proposal seeks expertise in forensic investigation and how to determine precise causes for the fire. The Chief Adviser has also ordered the designation of a “Fire Preparedness Week” to strengthen preventive measures, he added.
The blaze damaged storage units holding imported raw materials, finished garments and samples destined for export, with industry estimates placing losses at up to $1 billion, said leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association(BGMEA).
Flights from the airport were suspended for several hours as fire teams from the army, navy and air force fought the blaze alongside civilian fire services and civil defense personnel.
Investigation teams are now collecting evidence and reviewing safety protocols at the cargo complex. With Bangladesh’s apparel sector making up more than 10 per cent of GDP and employing around 4 million people, the incident is expected to disrupt shipments during the peak October-December export season, the BGMEA leaders have warned.
