Victims have alleged that firefighting efforts were delayed after a blaze broke out at the cargo section of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital.
Following the weekend holidays, the cargo area saw heavy crowds from the start of office hours on Sunday, as several importers and C&F agents gathered at the site.
According to them, after the fire broke out around 2:15pm on Saturday, fire service units were kept waiting in front of Gate 8 of the airport’s cargo section, reportedly pending permission to enter.
They claimed that this delay contributed to the spread of the fire. However, no relevant authorities could be reached for comment on the allegation.
Traders also alleged that the building was storing goods nearly three times beyond its capacity. They further questioned why pharmaceutical chemicals were kept alongside other imported products in the same facility.
Meanwhile, small flames were still visible in several parts of the cargo building around 8am on Sunday. Firefighters continue their efforts to fully extinguish the fire.
A total of 29 people were injured in Saturday’s incident, according to officials. Of them, 15 are currently receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), while the remaining 14 were treated and released from Kurmitola General Hospital.
